The interplay between law and social science in the age-segregation debate

Kerbs, John J.; Jolley, Jennifer M.; Kanaboshi, Naoki

doi:10.1080/0735648x.2014.894856

Cited by 11 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…In the context of the debate concerning age-segregation for older prisoners (Kerbs, Jolley, & Kanaboshi, 2015), one noteworthy finding was that older male prisoners housed in protection units did not report a significantly different sense of safety to those placed outside such units. While ostensibly this could be taken to imply a lack of impact of such units on prisoner sense of safety, the cross-sectional nature of the data collected prohibits any conclusion in this regard.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Prison Experiences and Psychological Distress among Older Inmates

Baidawi

Trotter

Flynn

2016

Journal of Gerontological Social Work

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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.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Prison Experiences and Psychological Distress among Older Inmates

Baidawi

Trotter

Flynn

2016

Journal of Gerontological Social Work

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“…Our results provide empirical support for partial segregation, a compromise to the debate on consolidated versus segregated housing (Kerbs and Jolley 2007; Vito and Wilson 1985). Partial segregation of older prisoners from the general prison population is deemed to ‘provide the best of both worlds’ (Kerbs, Jolley and Kanaboshi 2015: 90), as older prisoners could live in a separate unit that addresses their physical and medical needs, while at the same time enjoying dynamic relationships with prisoners of different ages. Consistent with previous research (Elger et al 2002; Marquart, Merianos and Doucet 2000; Neeley and Addision 1997), such a separate unit should ideally include more open space, shield older prisoners from the generally high noise level late during evenings, have lower levels of security given this group's reduced likelihood and capability of escaping, and give residents the responsibility for their daily choices.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similar arrangements are also available in the United Kingdom (Howse 2003) and in Switzerland, two prison facilities have a geriatric wing. The debate on age-segregation within prisons, not surprisingly, is US dominated (Aday 2003; Kerbs and Jolley 2009; Kerbs, Jolley and Kanaboshi 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Prisons should mirror society: the debate on age-segregated housing for older prisoners

2015

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The debate on age-segregated housing for older prisoners has seldom captured the perspectives of older prisoners and professionals (‘stakeholders’) working in a European prison setting. To address this gap in the research, 35 older prisoners from Switzerland and 40 stakeholders from three European countries (including Switzerland) were interviewed for the study. Data analysis was conducted thematically, and the validity of coding was established independently from the primary author. Interpretation of study results was agreed upon by all authors. Participants' opinions regarding age-segregated housing for older prisoners were split. An almost equal number of prisoners and stakeholders had similar arguments in favour of and against such living arrangements. The findings encompassed three major themes: ‘prisons should mirror society’ and thus age-mixed housing was preferable as it ensured generational exchange; a ‘separate unit within the prison’ would allow continuity of personal and other relationships and at the same time respond to older prisoners' specific health and environmental needs; finally, participants felt it was important to think critically about ‘the criteria’ for placing older prisoners in an age-segregated arrangement. We conclude that the debate on consolidated versus separate housing is bifurcated. Any push towards segregation based only on high prison violence and unvalidated context-specific information may result in unreliable public policy.

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“… 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). Partial segregation, whereby prisoners live in a separate unit adapted for older prisoner needs in terms of rules, activities and environment, but mix with other prisoners if desired when accessing prison-wide activities and services, has been advocated more recently (Kerbs, Jolley, & Kanaboshi, 2015; Wangmo et al, 2017). However, this debate would benefit from further evaluation. Team working - given the different staff and prisoner groupings involved in delivering social care in prisons, and associated security-care philosophy clashes, research exploring team working, and the negotiation and resolution of these tensions would be useful.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2019

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Background The number of older prisoners has risen exponentially over the last two decades, especially in high-income countries. Due to the increased and somewhat inadequately met health and social care needs of this group of prisoners, coupled with their vulnerability arising from higher levels of isolation, poverty and exploitation, financial costs have spiralled and human rights concerns have grown. This review aimed to present an overview of programmes that addressed older prisoners’ social care needs, a particularly underdeveloped area, with a view to assessing the extent to which they could inform policy and practice. Methods Following Whittemore and Knafl’s (J Adv Nurs 52:546-553, 2005) integrative review approach, a comprehensive search - including 16 electronic databases and hand searching - was undertaken up to May 2017 using search terms related to context, function and disability. The quality of included papers was assessed, data were extracted using a review-specific form based on the PICO formula, and research questions addressed using a narrative synthesis approach. Additionally, reporting followed PRISMA guidelines. Results A total of 29 papers were selected for inclusion, the majority of which focused on hospice programmes, with the remainder describing personal care-focused services, structured day programmes, and adaptations to prison operations (regime) and accommodation in support of prisoners’ social care needs. Whilst the programmes were reported to have some positive impacts on prisoners and the prison overall, and programmes were perceived to be cost-effective or cost-neutral, outcomes regarding staff were more mixed. Findings were tempered by the methodological shortcomings of the included papers, with many assessed as low quality, with a lack of prisoner participation, and an absence of experimental studies. Conclusions The evidence base for programmes addressing older prisoners’ social care needs appears to be at an embryonic stage. Further robust studies evaluating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of programmes addressing older prisoners’ social care needs are imperative in better informing policy and practice in support of this highly vulnerable group. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40352-019-0090-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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The interplay between law and social science in the age-segregation debate

Cited by 11 publications

References 47 publications

Prison Experiences and Psychological Distress among Older Inmates

Prison Experiences and Psychological Distress among Older Inmates

Prisons should mirror society: the debate on age-segregated housing for older prisoners

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

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