The rising health, social and economic costs of Australia's ageing prisoner population

Ginnivan, Natasha; Butler, Tony; Withall, Adrienne

doi:10.5694/mja18.00266

Cited by 16 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 9 publications

(23 reference statements)

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“…In many developed countries, prisoners 50 years of age and above constitute between 12% and 20% of the overall prisoner population (Trotter and Baidawi, 2015), and in the past 15 years, Australia has seen a 160% increase in the number of its older prisoners (Ginnivan et al , 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Hagos

Withall

Ginnivan

et al. 2021

IJPH

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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.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Hagos

Withall

Ginnivan

et al. 2021

IJPH

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“…In line with general international trends, Australian prisons are experiencing a steep increase in their population of older adults, with a 300% increase in those over the age of 65 in the past 20 years (Ginnivan et al, 2018). With this increase comes myriad health, social and economic challenges.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…This is in comparison to the 45% increase in the same age group for the general Australian population (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2019a). Higher rates of remand, conviction or recidivism in later life, longer life expectancies of prisoners and longer sentences all contribute to this burgeoning population of older adults in prisons (Ginnivan et al, 2018).…”

Section: Australia's Ageing Prisoner Populationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, emerging global evidence regarding the accelerated ageing of incarcerated persons suggests the need for these criteria to be broadened to consider incarcerated persons as young as 50 years (or 45 for Indigenous persons) as vulnerable. Also not acknowledged in these criteria is the particular vulnerability of older females, who are experiencing the largest increase in prevalence within prisoner subpopulations (Baidawi, 2015;Ginnivan et al, 2018;Handtke et al, 2015). Preliminary evidence from Australia suggests older incarcerated females are in poorer health and require more functional assistance than those who are male .…”

Section: Covid-19 In Australian Prisonsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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COVID-19 and incarcerated older adults: a commentary on risk, care and early release in Australia

Hwang

Ginnivan

Simpson

et al. 2021

IJPH

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Purpose The purpose of this commentary is to draw upon available literature and practices related to COVID-19 and management of older incarcerated adults in Australia to highlight key matters for better risk management and care of this population during this and future infectious disease pan/epidemics. Design/methodology/approach The present commentary draws on current policies, practices and literature regarding the health, needs and management of older incarcerated adults in Australia to discuss risk, care and early release for this population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings Incarcerated persons experience poorer health and accelerated age-related decline compared to those in the general community. The present situation offers the opportunity to fill knowledge and practice gaps, including policies for staff training, identification of dementia and cognitive decline, assessment of mobility issues, addressing barriers to health-seeking, possibilities of medical or compassionate release, risk assessment and release protocols and post-release needs. Practical implications While Australian prisons have acknowledged the vulnerability of older persons, more focused adaptation of COVID-19-related policies to consider adults as young as 45 years are needed. Appropriate ethical identification and management of cases in this population is needed, as is discussion on issues of decarceration and medical release. Re-conceptualisation of incarcerated adults as “citizens in need of care”, rather than as “offenders to be secured”, will be beneficial. Robust, local evidence is needed to assist decision-making. Originality/value This is a comprehensive, focused review of relevant evidence, policies and practices for a growing subpopulation of prisoners worldwide with complex needs and particular vulnerability to the COVID-19.

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“…Despite variations in this definition, one of the key implications of an ageing prisoner population is the likely increase in the number of offenders with dementia. This includes recidivists with a lifetime of disadvantage and poor health, those who may offend due to their cognitive impairment, those who 'age in place' and develop dementia whilst in prison, and those incarcerated for the first time at an older age due to historical offences being prosecuted (Ginnivan et al, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Best care options for older prisoners with dementia: a scoping review

Toit

Withall

O’Loughlin

et al. 2019

Int. Psychogeriatr.

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Introduction:The prisoner population is ageing, and consideration is needed for how to best support those with age-related health conditions in the system. Existing work practices and organizational structures often fail to meet the needs of prisoners with dementia, and prison staff experience high levels of burden because of the increased needs of these prisoners. Little is known about the best method of responding to the needs of this growing subpopulation of prisoners.Method:A scoping review was conducted to answer the question: what are the perceived best care options for prisoners with dementia? To be included, publications had to be publicly available, reported on research findings, or viewed opinions and commentaries on care practices relevant to older prisoners with dementia. Searches were conducted in 11 databases to identify relevant publications. Data from the included publications were extracted and summarized into themes.Results:Eight themes were identified that could support better care practices for prisoners with dementia: (1) early and ongoing screening for older prisoners; (2) specialized services; (3) specialized units; (4) programs or activities; (5) adaptations to current contexts; (6) early release or parole for older prisoners with dementia deemed at low risk of reoffending; and (7) training younger prisoners (8) as well as staff to assist older prisoners with dementia. Besides practical strategies improving care practice, costs, prison-specific resources, and staff skills were highlighted as care barriers across all themes. A lack of empirical evidence supported these findings.Conclusion:One of the implications of the international ageing prison population is the higher number of people living with dementia being incarcerated. Suggestions for best care approaches for prisoners with dementia now need to move from opinion to empirical approaches to guide practice.

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The rising health, social and economic costs of Australia's ageing prisoner population

Cited by 16 publications

References 9 publications

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

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

COVID-19 and incarcerated older adults: a commentary on risk, care and early release in Australia

Best care options for older prisoners with dementia: a scoping review

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