Barriers and enablers to health and social services for older prisoners transitioning to community

Abstract

Purpose When properly designed and implemented, prison-to-community transition programs targeting older prisoners could potentially save resources, reduce reoffending rates and contribute to improved public protection and safety. However, older prisoners transitioning to community are often neglected and overlooked, and thus, interventions targeted to address their needs are limited. The purpose of this study was to identify barriers and enablers to health and social services for older prisoners transitioning to community. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative study was conducted using focus group discussions with corrections officers, community corrections officers and parole officers (n = 32) in four correctional centres, two community corrections offices (CCOs) and one parole unit in New South Wales (NSW) in 2019. The authors used thematic analysis to analyse the findings. Findings The study identified three main themes relating to barriers and enablers: organisational, social and economic and individual and family and seven sub-themes: planning the transition, communication, assisting prisoners, transition programs, officers’ knowledge and scope of work, social and economic issues and offenders’ conditions Research limitations/implications The processes required to ensure effective prison-to-community transition of older prisoners are not well-developed suggesting the need for more systemic and organised mechanisms. Implications of the barriers and enablers for policy, research and practice are discussed. Originality/value This study identified a composite of barriers and enablers to health and social services for older prisoners in NSW prisons and CCOs.

Population ageing, incarceration and the growing digital divide: understanding the effects of digital literacy inequity experienced by older people leaving prison

“…Whilst the motivation for improving digital literacy is present, the opportunities to prepare older people for release via digital literacy improvement, at least in Australia, appear underutilized. This aligns with the consistent evidence regarding a general lack of release planning practices (Hagos et al, 2021). According to this study, this may be because digital literacy for day-to-day life tasks is not considered a 'criminogenic' issue, i.e.…”

“…For example, Lares and Montgomery (2020) identified "Technology challenges" as a subtheme in their qualitative study of N=19 older people who had left prison. In another qualitative study by Hagos et al (2021), Australian correctional staff identified lack of digital literacy as a key barrier for health and social service access in older people leaving prison. One cross-sectional survey of N=255 adult prisoners in Finland regarding their use of digital health care and social welfare services found that age was an All rights reserved.…”

Multi-sector stakeholder consensus on tackling the complex health and social needs of the growing population of people leaving prison in older age

“…In Australia, a growing body of literature recognises the rapid ageing of the prisoner population with qualitative studies, economic analyses, examination of offending data and commentaries conducted by academics and various government agencies all acknowledging this issue (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2019; Ginnivan et al, 2021;Hagos et al, 2021;Howard & Corben, 2019;Hwang et al, 2021;Inspector of Custodial Services NSW, 2015; Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services WA, 2021;Simpson et al, 2017;Trotter & Baidawi, 2015). Whilst mostly focused on prisoner population ageing or prisoner health management in general, all emphasise the importance of appropriate post-release support for older prison leavers.…”

“…Whilst mostly focused on prisoner population ageing or prisoner health management in general, all emphasise the importance of appropriate post-release support for older prison leavers. One qualitative study with correctional staff (N=32) in Australia specifically focused on investigating the specific barriers and enablers to post-release reintegration in older prison leavers, and identified that the challenges exist at not only the personal, but also the social, economic and organisational levels (Hagos, 2021).…”

“…Overall, the literature from both Australia and worldwide indicate that the concerted effort of multiple stakeholders across health, justice, research and social services both in prisons and in the community is needed to ensure successful reintegration of this group into the community (Hagos, 2021;Metzger et al, 2017;Schwartz et al, 2020). Metzger and colleagues' 5-step COJENT framework (Criminal Justice Involved Older Adults in Need of Treatment) Initiative provides a useful framework to "determine the needs of criminal justice-involved older adults, assess the community's relevant resources, identify knowledge All rights reserved.…”