Prison Experiences and Psychological Distress among Older Inmates

abstract

This study investigates relationships between older prisoners’ social experiences and their levels of distress. One hundred and seventy-three older prisoners (aged ≥ 50 years) from 8 Australian prisons were administered the Kessler Psychological Distress (K10) Scale, with additional information collected via individual interviews. Psychological distress scores were significantly associated with measures of self-reported safety (p < .001), prison victimization (p < .05), perceived social support from staff (p < .01) and inmates (p < .001), current employment (p < .05), and level of exercise (p < .001) among older inmates. Findings suggest that strategies for improving sense of safety, social support and level of exercise may ameliorate distress among older prisoners.

KEYWORDS:

• aging prisoners
• older prisoners
• prison programs
• psychological distress
• victimization

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant (grant number LP100100599). The study was conducted by the Criminal Justice Research Consortium, Monash University and was carried out in partnership with the Victorian Department of Justice, the Victorian Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders, the New South Wales Department of Corrective Services and the Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network. We wish to acknowledge the prisoners who participated in the research, and staff at prison locations who facilitated the study.