A Reintegration Program for Elderly Prisoners Reduces Reoffending

Abstract

Harsh sentences have resulted in many prisoners being elderly at the time of their release. However, the longer individuals have been incarcerated and the older they are, the more difficult it may be for them to re-enter free society. We developed a reintegration program to promote their successful adjustment to society and to prevent their reoffending, and evaluated its effectiveness. Participants were 25 older prisoners in Japan; all were homeless and more than 65 years old. Ten participants voluntarily participated in the reintegration programs, while the other 15 participants rejected participation in the programs. The programs provided a temporary residence, money, and job support in a community where they desired to live. Participants involved with the reintegration programs had not reoffended at 252 days, while 37.5% of those not involved in the programs reoffended. The two groups did not significantly differ in age, health status, educational level, and total length of sentence. Reintegration of older prisoners into society is more effective when done in the context of a prevention program and welfare support. Aging prison people in Japan explosively increased in a quarter of a century. The population in custody over 65 years-old increased 371% between 1986 and 2012, even though the total population in custody decreased 28% [6]. The explosive increase in the Japanese aging prison population can be explained by their high recidivism rates. In contrast to western countries, such as the United States [7,8] and Sweden [9], around half (47%) of released prisoners over 65 years-old reoffended within one year after their release, whereas only 22% of those between 25 and 29 years-old reoffended [10]. Introduction A Reintegration Program for Elderly Prisoners Reduces Reoffending

A systematic integrative review of programmes addressing the social care needs of older prisoners

“…Therefore, evaluations of various end of life options could be useful, potentially building upon the USA-based hospice work, but including cell-based and community transfer options as well. Personal care – this could include the development and evaluation of a model of practice to reflect the main way that the social care needs of prisoners are likely to be assessed and attended (Tucker et al, 2017). Structured programmes – the building and evaluation of programmes of activities for prisoners, potentially by using successful community programmes adapted for prison and for post-release reintegration – which is a particularly under-researched area regarding older prisoners (Cooney & Braggins, 2010; Kamigaki & Yokotani, 2014). Regime and accommodation adaptation - there has been considerable debate around the use of segregated wings or units for older prisoners (Doron & Love, 2013; Lee et al, 2016; Wangmo, Handtke, Bretschneider, & Elger, 2017).…”

“…Structured programmes – the building and evaluation of programmes of activities for prisoners, potentially by using successful community programmes adapted for prison and for post-release reintegration – which is a particularly under-researched area regarding older prisoners (Cooney & Braggins, 2010; Kamigaki & Yokotani, 2014).…”

“…This increase has been attributed to the general ageing of populations, and to harsher and longer prison sentencing policies (Atabay, 2009; Hantke, Bretschneider, Elgar, & Wangmo, 2017). More local contributions include increases in the prosecution of historic sex offences in the UK and Australia (Justice Committee, 2013; O’Brien, Tewaniti, Hawley, & Fleming, 2006), and increases in petty crime in Japan and South Korea due to poverty (Allen, 2016; Kamigaki & Yokotani, 2014). The growth rate of older prisoners in lower-income countries appears to be more varied (Atabay, 2009; Chitsawang, 2017; Department of Prisons, 2017; Langat, Kabaji, & Poipoi, 2015; Srinivasan & Ponnuswami, 2015).…”