ABSTRACT

The prison environment is often considered as one of the most constraining structures imaginable. Characterised by an unequal distribution of power, every aspect of a prisoner’s life is restricted and surveyed. The subordinate position in which prisoners find themselves, coupled with feelings of frustration and aggression which can stem from the excessively masculine nature of prison life, result in a hotbed of emotions where challenges to one’s masculinity are frequent. Such feelings of powerlessness and vulnerability create problems for any prisoner, but for ageing men, the situation can pose somewhat of a crisis.