Trauma and Stress Among Older Adults in the Criminal Justice System: A Review of the Literature with Implications for Social Work

Abstract

The purpose of this article was to review the empirical literature that investigated trauma and stress among older adults in the criminal justice system. Nineteen journal articles published between 1988 and 2010 were identified and extracted via research databases and included mixed age samples of adjudicated older and younger adults (n = 11) or older adult only samples (n = 8). Findings revealed past and current trauma and stress, consequences and/or correlates, and internal and external coping resources among aging offenders. The implications and future directions for gerontological social work, research, and policy with older adults in the criminal justice system are advanced.

Prison Experiences and Psychological Distress among Older Inmates

“…mental, physical, and functional health). Additionally, protective factors such as coping strategies and life course considerations such as childhood trauma were not considered in this analysis (Maschi et al, 2011). The findings relating to employment in prison also demonstrate that physical health issues are likely play a part in mediating the relationship between older prisoners' activities and their level of distress in prison.…”

“…Baidawi & Trotter (In press) ;Murdoch, Morris, & Holmes (2008)), this paper specifically focuses on social aspects of the prison environment. Previous studies have suggested that such social aspects of the prison experience contribute to distress among older prisoners, including experiences of isolation, and fear of victimisation (Aday, 2003;Crawley & Sparks, 2005a;Maschi et al, 2011;Wahidin, 2004). Yet the wellbeing of older people in prison is a neglected area of research (Maschi et al, 2011).…”

Institutional thoughtlessness and the needs of older probation clients

“…The emphasis in research into older prisoners has tended to focus on emerging health and social care needs as a consequence of ageing, so researchers have deployed a range of rationales. Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) defines older prisoners as aged 50 plus (HMIP and Care Quality Commission (CQC), 2018) due to evidence suggesting that prisoners physiologically age up to 10 years compared to community counterparts (Loeb et al, 2007; Maschi et al, 2011; NACRO, 2009). Other researchers have applied that logic to utilise age 55, as 65 is the age at which people in the community in England would begin to draw their pension (Crawley and Sparks, 2006; Filinson, 2016; Murdoch et al, 2008).…”

The Case for Human Agency, Well-Being, and Community Reintegration for People Aging in Prison

“…They often have comorbid physical and mental health symptoms, such as in the case of dementia that includes physical and mental decline (Fazel, Hope, O’Donnell, & Jacoby, 2001). Older prisoners also may have experienced victimization, such as being a victim or witness to physical or sexual assault, prior to or while in prison (Maschi, Dennis, et al, 2011; Maschi, Morgen, Zgoba, Courtney, & Ristow, 2011). These combined special health and mental health needs may affect prisoners’ ability to make a smooth transition and reintegration in the community.…”