ABSTRACT
It could be argued that it is easy to disregard the needs of older people in prisons (Prison Reform Trust 2003; HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (HMCIP) 2004; Wahidin 2004). Statistically they represent a small percentage of the prison population – 2.6 per cent of the male population in 2002 (HMCIP 2004) – and an even smaller percentage of the wider population. But can a humane society really disregard the needs of the elderly – even in prison? Just as the elderly population in society is increasing, the old are getting older (Department of Health 2001) – so too they are in prison. Male prisoners over the age of 60 are the fastest growing population in the prison estate – representing 1.3 per cent in 1992, compared with 2.6 per cent in 2002. Clearly, the number of older people in prison will continue to grow, especially as sentences lengthen and more indeterminate sentences are passed. Of the older prisoners, many have committed serious offences, and as a result some will grow old in prison until such time as they no longer pose a risk to the public, and some will spend the rest of their lives in prison. Prison represents a microcosm of society. Just as the needs of older people in society are highlighted both by government and the
media – so too are the needs of the elderly in prison now beginning to be highlighted. In the community there are many examples of excellent care for older people, but until the publication of the National Service Framework for Older People (2001), there had been no national focus on the needs of older people. There had, however, been reports of poor, unresponsive, insensitive, and discriminatory services (Department of Health 2001). This has been reflected in the prison population and highlighted by HMCIP (2004). The proper care and treatment of older prisoners is not just an issue for the prison service and probation, the National Service Framework places firm responsibility on all agencies involved with the care of the elderly – regardless of whether they are in prison. These responsibilities do not cease merely because someone is a prisoner.
