ABSTRACT
Older prisoners take into prison with them the same challenges faced by older people outside prison. However, the problems of loneliness, depression and isolation in old age may be exacerbated inside prison as maintaining family bonds may be particularly difficult for older prisoners and imprisonment per se is an isolating experience and form of social exclusion. Prison visits are crucial as part of this family contact, but it may be difficult for older relatives to visit elderly prisoners because of health and mobility problems or financial reasons. Because prisoners have been seen as 'old and quiet' and less troublesome than younger prisoners, and are less likely to be disruptive or to self-harm, or cause disciplinary problems, their needs are more likely to be overlooked. Proper training for staff involving specialists in health and social care and the designation of staff with specific responsibility for older prisoners would enable staff to recognise mental health problems.
