‘DOUBLE PUNISHMENT FOR ELDERLY PRISONERS’

A unique exhibition of photographs taken in Kingston Prison by Ed Clark draws attention to the growing number of elderly prisoners and the lack of a national strategy to address their health, social care, rehabilitation and resettlement needs. 

Due to the rising prison population and the significant increase in elderly people in custody there are now believed to be a record number of disabled prisoners, although the Prison Service does not currently collect data on disability.

Disabled prisoners say that they are rarely given equal access to prison activities and some complain of poor treatment and discrimination. Lack of information on what facilities do exist in different prisons means they are not able to make informed choices.

A prisoner who contacted the Prison Reform Trust’s advice and information service wrote:

“I have been in three prisons and only in one have I had no problems with the treatment of the disabled.  Here, education is on the third floor, so I can’t access it.  Often disabled prisoners feel forced to work, even though they are far too weak and incapacitated to earn some money.”

Despite a stated commitment by the Home Office that prisons will work to comply with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act, provision is patchy and there is no ring-fenced funding to alter and modify buildings. Overall there remains a huge gap between policy and practice. 

Speaking today at the exhibition Juliet Lyon, Director, Prison Reform Trust will say:

“Given the state of our overcrowded, under-resourced prison system there can be no doubt that growing numbers of elderly and disabled prisoners experience a severe kind of double punishment in the harsh environment of crumbling Victorian jails. While there is little or no fear that they will escape, there is every chance that they will leave prison utterly unprepared for life outside.”

‘Still Life’, this moving exhibition of photographs, is on display until 22nd October at the FrameZero Gallery, 45 Mitchell Street, London EC1V 3QZ.  Anyone wishing to attend should contact FrameZero for opening times: 020 7251 4547.

An invitation to attend the private views is attached with permission to reproduce the photograph with acknowledgements in the press.