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| Older prisoners are fastest-growing part of jail population, says chief inspector | Older prisoners are fastest-growing part of jail population, says chief inspector |
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| Prisoners aged over 60 are now the fastest-growing part of the jail population in England and Wales, the chief inspector of prisons has told MPs. | Prisoners aged over 60 are now the fastest-growing part of the jail population in England and Wales, the chief inspector of prisons has told MPs. |
| Nick Hardwick told the Commons justice select committee that the prison service had become a significant carer of elderly people but was struggling to meet their social and healthcare needs. | Nick Hardwick told the Commons justice select committee that the prison service had become a significant carer of elderly people but was struggling to meet their social and healthcare needs. |
| The chief inspector revealed that some prisons, such as Leyhill open prison in Gloucestershire, had developed day-centre-type activities and "quieter wings" where older prisoners could escape the "hurly burly" of general prison life. | The chief inspector revealed that some prisons, such as Leyhill open prison in Gloucestershire, had developed day-centre-type activities and "quieter wings" where older prisoners could escape the "hurly burly" of general prison life. |
| But he warned there was a lack of awareness among prison staff of how they should meet the health and social care needs of a section of the prison population that was less likely to complain or raise problems with staff. | But he warned there was a lack of awareness among prison staff of how they should meet the health and social care needs of a section of the prison population that was less likely to complain or raise problems with staff. |
| The latest figures show that there were 3,333 prisoners aged over 60 in jails in England and Wales last September, an increase of more than 100% over the previous 10 years. They include 42 prisoners over the age of 80. The oldest prisoner held at the time of last September's count was 92. | The latest figures show that there were 3,333 prisoners aged over 60 in jails in England and Wales last September, an increase of more than 100% over the previous 10 years. They include 42 prisoners over the age of 80. The oldest prisoner held at the time of last September's count was 92. |
| Hardwick told the MPs that the rapid rise in older prisoners was a result of the courts passing tougher sentences, particularly for sex offenders. More than 40% of prisoners aged over 60 have been imprisoned for sexual offences. The chief inspector said it did not mean more crime was being committed by older people. | Hardwick told the MPs that the rapid rise in older prisoners was a result of the courts passing tougher sentences, particularly for sex offenders. More than 40% of prisoners aged over 60 have been imprisoned for sexual offences. The chief inspector said it did not mean more crime was being committed by older people. |
| Nigel Newcomen, the prisons and probation ombudsman, also raised the issue of older prisoners who died in jail. He said a study of 200 "end-of-life cases" had shown that while there was generally equitable treatment, compared with the care and help the prisoners would have received in the community, in a quarter of the cases the possibility of compassionate release had not been adequately explored. | |
| The ombudsman also highlighted his report earlier this year which disclosed that more than 50 dying prisoners had been wrongly chained or handcuffed during their final days in hospital or in a hospice over the past five years. | The ombudsman also highlighted his report earlier this year which disclosed that more than 50 dying prisoners had been wrongly chained or handcuffed during their final days in hospital or in a hospice over the past five years. |
| Peter McParlin, the chairman of the Prison Officers' Association, told the MPs that prison officers had lost their discretion to remove the restraints several years ago. He said those that did not follow the official risk assessment faced disciplinary action, including dismissal, if they did. He added that it was particularly distressing for relatives who visited dying prisoners in hospices and hospitals to see them restrained. | Peter McParlin, the chairman of the Prison Officers' Association, told the MPs that prison officers had lost their discretion to remove the restraints several years ago. He said those that did not follow the official risk assessment faced disciplinary action, including dismissal, if they did. He added that it was particularly distressing for relatives who visited dying prisoners in hospices and hospitals to see them restrained. |
| He acknowledged that there were cases, such as that of Ronnie Biggs, the great train robber, who was released in 2009 on compassionate grounds two days before his 80th birthday because it was believed he was dying: "He is still going strong. I wish him all the best." But he said he hoped there would be a compassionate approach to the issue of releasing dying prisoners, taking each case on its merits. | He acknowledged that there were cases, such as that of Ronnie Biggs, the great train robber, who was released in 2009 on compassionate grounds two days before his 80th birthday because it was believed he was dying: "He is still going strong. I wish him all the best." But he said he hoped there would be a compassionate approach to the issue of releasing dying prisoners, taking each case on its merits. |