Ageing Prisoners: Issues for Social Work

Abstract

The growing numbers and increasing proportion of aged prisoners in Australia is an issue causing some concern, but it has received little public or academic attention here. This article, an outcome of an extensive literature review and a small research study into some individual prisoners’ experience of ageing in South Australian prisons, aims to draw attention to the current situation and what it means to these particular prisoners. Participants shared thoughts, feelings, and reflections about their lives, life-long losses and, for some, the meaning of dying in prison. Analysis revealed themes whose consistency with existing literature suggests they are valid areas meriting timely policy and practice concern and development: prison regimes, housing, health care, and imprisonment or release. The issues raised are discussed in the context of the available literature. This problematic area merits attention from the social work profession and further research.

Abstract

Keywords:

• Corrections
• Aged
• Bereavement

* The views expressed in this article are not necessarily those of the Department for Correctional Services, South Australia.

* The views expressed in this article are not necessarily those of the Department for Correctional Services, South Australia.

Notes

* The views expressed in this article are not necessarily those of the Department for Correctional Services, South Australia.

¹The author has held senior positions in corrections in Victoria and South Australia and was South Australia's first Public Advocate.

²Correctional agencies have statutory responsibilities to manage prisoners using available resources. Sometimes difficult decisions about placements must be made in response to crowding or incidents and, even if due process is followed, some prisoners will be anxious, unsettled, and angry about those decisions. There may even be adverse health outcomes for some prisoners affected.