HM Inspectorate of Prisons – Report on a full announced inspection of HM Prison Frankland

Geoff Dobson, Deputy Director, Prison Reform Trust said today:

This generally positive report highlights an issue which is becoming critical for the whole of the prison estate, the increasing number of elderly and potentially disabled prisoners. We have a prison system that is largely designed for fit, active young prisoners. The number of elderly prisoners serving long sentences has more than trebled since 1995. A massive re-think is required in terms of policy and practice.

The Prison Reform Trust will be publishing a report in August, funded by the Nuffield Foundation, titled Growing Old in Prison. The report will echo the Chief Inspector’s call for ‘a forward-looking strategy to deal with the accommodation, healthcare and activity needs of an ageing population.’

Notes to editors:

1. In 2001 the number of sentenced male prisoners aged over 60 was 1,206 (2.4%) and the number of females was 19 (0.7%).  In 2000 the oldest prisoner was 88.

2. The number of elderly male prisoners has significantly increased in recent years. Since 1995, when there were 587 in prison, it has increased by  170 per cent.

3. The majority of males in prison aged 60 and over (55%) have committed sex offences. The next highest proportion is violence against the person (21 per cent) followed by drug offences (10 per cent).

4.  The number and proportion of  elderly prisoners serving long sentences has increased significantly. Between 1995 and 2001 the number  serving sentences of more than 4 years more than tripled, increasing from 318 to 966. In 2001 eighty per cent of elderly prisoners were serving sentences of 4 years or more

5.  The number and proportion of males aged over 60 sentenced to prison by the courts has increased significantly. Between 1995 and 2000 the number of elderly males given custodial sentences increased by 55 per cent. In 1995 fines accounted for the majority of sentences (31 per cent). By 2000 imprisonment accounted for the majority of sentences (31 per cent) and fines accounted for 24 per cent

6.  The significant rise in the number of male prisoners aged over 60 is not matched by a corresponding rise in the number of males convicted by the courts for indictable offences. Between 1995 and 2000 the number of convictions for this age group increased by only 8 per cent. In 2000 the number of sexual offences which accounted for 18 per cent of all convictions (the second largest proportion, after shoplifting) was 2 per cent lower than in 1995.

7.  The increase in the elderly prison population is not explained by demographic changes, nor can it be explained by a so-called 'elderly crime wave'. The increases are due to harsher sentencing policies which have resulted in the courts sending a larger proportion of criminals aged over 60 to prison to serve longer sentences. This has particularly been the case in relation to sex offenders and drug traffickers. The courts are also tending to imprison those older offenders whose crimes most challenge society's age-related stereotypes. 

8.  A department of health study conducted in 1999/2000 of 203 sentenced male prisoners aged 60 and over in 15 establishments in England and Wales (about one fifth of that total population) reported that 85 per cent had one or more major illnesses reported in their medical records and 83 per cent reported at least one chronic illness or disability when interviewed. The most common illnesses were psychiatric, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and respiratory. 

9. In 2000 14 people aged over 60 died of natural causes whilst in prison.

10.  A number of academic studies and a report by the Prison Reform Trust have concluded that the health, social care, rehabilitation and resettlement needs of older prisoners are not being satisfactorily met.  

11. Despite the dramatic rise in the number of elderly prisoners the Home Office has no plans to put in place a separate national strategy for elderly prisoners (Hansard, written answers May 1 2003).