MPs to investigate the ageing prison population

The Justice Committee today launches a new inquiry into the ageing prison population.

The number of people in prison aged over 50 is projected to grow from 13,616 in June 2018, to 14,100 (3.6% increase) in June 2022. The number over 60 is projected to grow from 5,009 to 5,600 (12% increase) over the same period, and those aged over 70 from 1,681 to 2,000 (19% increase). The proportion of people aged over 60 is also expected to rise as a proportion of the total prison population.

These projections result from more offenders aged 50 and over being sent to prison than are being released – driven by increases in sexual offence proceedings since 2012. Offenders are also receiving longer sentences, which also raises the numbers turning 50, 60 or 70 while in custody.

The Committee’s inquiry will examine the challenges older prisoners face and the services they need, including the adequacy of accommodation, purposeful activity, provision of health and social care, resettlement and whether a national strategy for the treatment of older prisoners is needed.

Chair of the Justice Committee, Bob Neill MP, said:

“Prisons are often unfit for the needs of older people and the Committee is concerned that more and more older prisoners are living in unsuitable accommodation without access to proper health and social care or the wider prison regime. 

“The Chief Inspector has said that it is disappointing that there is no clear strategy for older prisoners and the Committee wants to get to the bottom of what is being done to support this cohort of prisoners and what plans are being made for the future as the number of older prisoners increases.

“The Justice Committee last looked at this issue six years ago and we are concerned that little progress has been made since then. Our new inquiry seeks to identify the extent of the problem and to recommend what can be done to improve the situation.”

Terms of reference

The Committee invites written evidence submissions on some or all of the following points via the Committee’s website by 1^st October 2019.

1. What are the characteristics of older prisoners, what types of offences are they in prison for and how is this demographic likely to change in the future?
2. What challenges do older prisoners face, what services do they need and are there barriers to them accessing these?
3. Is the design of accommodation for older prisoners appropriate and what could be done to improve this?
4. How do older prisoners interact with the prison regime and what purposeful activity is available to them?
5. Does the provision of both health and social care, including mental health, meet the needs of older prisoners and how can services be made more effective?
6. Do prisons, healthcare providers, local authorities and other organisations involved in the care of older prisoners collaborate effectively?
7. Are the arrangements for the resettlement of older prisoners effective?
8. Does the treatment of older prisoners comply with equality legislation and human rights standards?
9. Whether a national strategy for the treatment of older prisoners should be established; and if so what it should contain?

Guidance on submitting evidence to Select Committees can be viewed here.

Background

The Committee published a report on older prisoners in 2013. The Committee found that there was a lack of provision of social care for older prisoners and that there was confusion as to which authorities were responsible for what. The Committee highlighted that much of the current accommodation was built for young men and was not appropriately configured for older prisons. A lack of mental health provision was also raised as a significant issue.

The Committee returned to the issue as part of its recent inquiry Prison Population 2022. The Committee found that although there is good provision in some prisons, physical constraints in the prison estate mean that older and infirm prisoners are not always well accommodated, with cell showers and walkways largely inaccessible. Places in palliative care units and dedicated units for older prisoners are insufficient for the size of the population and in some cases, they are held in healthcare beds as the only suitable accommodation.

As part of its current inquiry into prison governance, the Committee looked at the oversight and commissioning arrangements for healthcare in prisons. The Committee heard from witnesses that healthcare for older prisoners was a growing issue. Dr Sarah Bromley, National Medical Director at Care UK, told the Committee that “the fabric of the buildings does not lend itself to caring for people who are wheelchair-bound or have poor mobility. Social care is very patchy across the country, and how well social care is working has a big impact on health as well. For the frail elderly, particularly those with dementia, we are struggling to provide what they need to keep them safe and healthy.”