Most of us hope our retirement will mean more freedom - to play with the grandchildren, go fishing, or finally tame the garden. But for the 97 prisoners over 65 in our prisons, less freedom is a fact of life.
Although they’re of pensionable age, these senior citizens are not eligible for the state pension for the duration of their stay in prison.
National Systems and Security Manager Karen Urwin says there are 208 prisoners over 60, the oldest of whom is 83, but that for the most part all adult prisoners are treated the same, irrespective of age.
“Of course, those with advanced years sometimes have different needs to younger prisoners and we have a duty to meet those needs,” she adds.
For example, a prisoner who can’t climb stairs will be housed in a groundlevel cell and may be given a special cell with extra bars fixed to the walls so they can use the toilet and get into bed safely.
“A very small number of elderly prisoners have aids such as crutches or walking frames, but many younger prisoners need such aids too. Supply of special aids and cells is based on need rather than age,” says Karen.
Most people require more medical treatment as they get older, and Assistant General Manager Women’s and Specialist Services Bridget White says prisoners typically already have poor health when they arrive in prison.
“All prisoners have their health assessed by medical staff as part of their sentence plan at the beginning of their stay,” says Bridget.
“We don’t specifically monitor prisoners because of their age. Monitoring is carried out based on their medical status,” she adds.
The prison nurse recommends the kind of work each prisoner is fit to do based on their health assessment.
The nurse may, for example, suggest that the physical nature of work in the kitchen or print shop is not ideal for a certain prisoner. Instead, lighter duties such as sewing or working in the prison garden may be more suitable.
The United States has entire prisons specifically for older prisoners, but Karen Urwin says New Zealand has no need for this - yet.
“We should never say never. With our ageing population and sentences getting longer, there could one day be at least a wing entirely for older prisoners,” she says.
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ISSN 1178-8453