Understanding the needs and experiences
of older people in prison
Report published by Clinks and Recoop today
Clinks and Recoop have come together to publish a report providing valuable evidence on the needs and experiences of older people in prison, with key recommendations for policymakers to influence the development of the Older offender strategy.
A prison is a particularly difficult place for older people. Many have complex needs and some are coping with long-term or terminal illness. Older people in prison (50 or over) need different health and social care support than their younger counterparts - so appropriate meaningful activity and social connections are particularly important for them. Some face the stark reality of spending their final days in prison and questioning what a good death looks like.
Older people are also the fastest growing cohort in prison. This report illustrates that prisons are ill-equipped to meet their needs. Together with Recoop, we suggest that the Ministry of Justice and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) should develop a delivery plan to sit underneath the long awaited national Older offender strategy alongside developing a local strategy for meeting the needs of older prisoners informed by the HMPPS Model of Operational Delivery: Older prisoners.
The report, commissioned by Clinks through our work as a member of the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Health and Wellbeing Alliance, was informed by Recoop’s engagement with older people in prison. Recoop created forums in three prisons and questionnaires in a further four establishments. Special thanks goes to all of the older people in prison who took the time to speak so openly and honestly, sharing their thoughts, experiences and emotions to shape this report.
Download the report here
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