Crime Solicitors

Britain’s prisons are having to adapt to an increase in older inmates, with the prison population now including more pensioners found guilty of crimes involving drugs and historic sex abuse charges.

The Daily Mail reports that prisons are having to adapt cells for older prisoners – and bowling clubs are thriving as part of prison leisure activities.

In the last decade, the number of prisoners over the age of 60 has escalated 130% and prisoners over 60 are now the fastest growing group of inmates. However, many elderly prisoners are unable to cope with a normal prison regime and their health can deteriorate rapidly as a result. The Prison Reform Trust says that being in prison can add 10 years to the health and wellbeing of an older inmate.

The Prison Service has told the Mail that steps are now being taken to address the issue of older prisoners.

“Prisons reflect society and as such the numbers of older prisoners have increased gradually,” said a Prison Service spokesman.

“Governors are working to ensure suitable facilities are provided and healthcare needs are met, as well as working with charities such as Age UK and Recoop who focus on resettlement.”

Adaptations which the Prison Service is making include fitting handrails and showers more suitable for the elderly.

The Prison Service is also training its members on how to spot the signs of early stage dementia among inmates – and is providing training in how to handle prisoners in wheelchairs. Wheelchair ramps are also being installed in some prisons.

Facilities for terminally ill patients are also being developed – prisons which already have palliative care facilities for terminally ill prisoners are HMP Isle of Wight, HMP Whatton in Nottinghamshire and HMP Norwich.

Prisoners serving whole life sentences may die in prison, as in the case of the “Black Panther” Donald Neilson – famous for killing 17-year-old Shropshire heiress Lesley Whittle in 1975.

In 1976, Neilson was given five life sentences, including life for the murder of Lesley Whittle, plus four other murder convictions. He died from motor neurone disease at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in 2011, one day after being taken to hospital from HMP Norwich, having been refused an appeal against his whole life tariff in 2008.

In 2010, HMP Norwich was investigated after a 60-year-old inmate with lung cancer died in custody after being left in restraints by prison officers, despite his condition deteriorating.

HMP Norwich provides end-of-life care in a dedicated wing for elderly prisoners. The subsequent report made five recommendations to improve care of elderly prisoners, including access to mental health services for elderly prisoners and an agreed end-of-life care pathway for terminally ill prisoners.

Responding to the proposals to adapt prisons for elderly inmates, Labour Shadow Justice Secretary Sadiq Khan said:

“There is no evidence that the government is remotely ready to deal with increasing numbers of elderly prisoners and the challenges this poses.

“Given how much they're struggling to cope now with increased overcrowding and cuts in prison officers, it doesn't bode well for the future when more and more older prisoners will need greater amounts of support and supervision.”

Last year, Justice Secretary Chris Grayling called for whole life sentences to mean “life” – and the government has even suggested that 100-year sentences should be introduced for the most heinous crimes instead of whole life tariffs, after the European Convention on Human Rights called whole life sentences “inhumane”.

However, in February this year the Court of Appeal ruled that British courts could continue to set whole life tariffs, as in exceptional circumstances prisoners serving life sentences could be released early, including for the purpose of end of life care in some circumstances.

Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors – Prisoners’ Rights

Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors are able to advise prisoners on their rights in jail, including sentencing appeals and appeals against conviction, as well as applications to the Parole Board and access to healthcare and mental health services in prison.

Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors regularly visit police stations, courts and prisons to advise on criminal charges and prisoners’ rights – and also attend youth courts and Young Offender Institutions.

For expert legal advice on prisoners’ rights contact Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors on 020 7923 4020.