Many older jails are ill-equipped for prisoners in wheelchairs, or with mobility problems. Some prisoners struggle to wash and look after themselves, others cannot get help during the night. The quality of care is inconsistent. As the prison population ages they are more likely to develop new conditions while in prison. This report shows a failure to plan for the future needs of a growing population of elderly, ill and frail prisoners.
Local authorities must now assess prisoners’ care needs and there are some improvements. Some prisons show good practice and there are many caring staff and fellow prisoners.
Yet there is troubling evidence from individual prison inspections:
Find out more
Report: Social care in prisons
Press release: Care for elderly prisoners is inconsistent and the lack of planning for an ageing population is a serious defect, says inspectors
Information: Health and care in the criminal justice system
