A review of the healthcare and social care needs of the older prisoner population in England and Wales

Gavin, Paul; Porter, Cody Normitta; MacDonald, Finley

Abstract

In recent years, research on older prisoners in England and Wales has expanded significantly, and the term “older prisoner” is now well entrenched in the prison-based literature. Those prisoners who are over the age of 50 are now the fastest growing demographic in the prison system and they present with a wide range of specific health and social care needs. This paper provides an overview of the main challenges facing older prisoners in the context of their health and social care needs, including the development of mental health problems such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, as well as challenges related to mobility and engaging in structured activities in prison. This paper also considers the issue of dying in prison for older prisoners as well as the challenges of resettlement and reintegration post-release.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 20, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Dec 25, 2024
• Publication Date: Dec 25, 2024
• Deposit Date: Jan 8, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 9, 2025
• Journal: Social Sciences
• Electronic ISSN: 2076-0760
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: 4
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14010004
• Keywords: resettlement, healthcare, dying, prison, older prisoners, social care
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/13597487