Background: absolute numbers of older prisoners and their proportion of the total prison populati... more Background: absolute numbers of older prisoners and their proportion of the total prison population are increasing. They have multiple health and social care needs that are prominent on entry into prison. No previous studies have identified older prisoners’ health and social care needs at this crucial point. Objective: to examine unmet health and social care needs among older men entering prison and their links with depressive symptoms. Methods: a cross-sectional survey across nine prisons in the North of England was completed. One hundred male prisoners aged between 60 and 81 were interviewed, using the Camberwell Assessment of Need—Forensic short version (CANFOR-S) and Geriatric Depression Scale—Short Form (GDS-15). Descriptive statistics were generated and χ2 tests performed. Results: participants reported high levels of unmet needs as measured with the CANFOR-S, notably in the domains of knowledge about their condition and treatment (38%); psychological distress (34%); daytime activities (29%); benefits (28%); food (22%) and physical health (21%). The mean total number of unmet needs was 2.74, with a median of 2.0. More than half the sample (56%, 95% CI 45–66%) exhibited clinical signs of depression. A significant association between depressive symptomology and an unmet physical health need, as measured by the CANFOR-S, was detected (χ 2 = 6.76, df = 1, P < 0.01). Conclusions: high levels of depressive symptoms were experienced by older prisoners on entry into prison. Personalised health and social care needs assessment and discrete depression screening are required on prison entry to facilitate effective management of unmet needs.
Community Service Orders (CSOs) were introduced in Ireland in 1984, to alleviate pressure on over... more Community Service Orders (CSOs) were introduced in Ireland in 1984, to alleviate pressure on overcrowded prison spaces (Rogan, 2011). CSOs are a direct alternative to a custodial sanction. They give offenders the opportunity to complete unpaid work in the community instead of short prison sentences, which have been deemed ineffective in terms of rehabilitation or reducing recidivism (Ministry of Justice, 2010; Howard League, 2011). Current government policy aims to increase the number of CSOs, in order to reduce the high costs associated with short-term imprisonment (Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, 2010; IPRT, 2012). The commencement of the Criminal Justice (Community Service)(Amendment) Act 2011 in Ireland, on October 1st 2011, means courts are required to give greater consideration to Community Service Orders (CSOs) in cases where custodial sentences of less than 12 months are deemed appropriate. To date, the empirical research concerning the operation of these com...
Background: absolute numbers of older prisoners and their proportion of the total prison populati... more Background: absolute numbers of older prisoners and their proportion of the total prison population are increasing. They have multiple health and social care needs that are prominent on entry into prison. No previous studies have identified older prisoners’ health and social care needs at this crucial point. Objective: to examine unmet health and social care needs among older men entering prison and their links with depressive symptoms. Methods: a cross-sectional survey across nine prisons in the North of England was completed. One hundred male prisoners aged between 60 and 81 were interviewed, using the Camberwell Assessment of Need—Forensic short version (CANFOR-S) and Geriatric Depression Scale—Short Form (GDS-15). Descriptive statistics were generated and χ2 tests performed. Results: participants reported high levels of unmet needs as measured with the CANFOR-S, notably in the domains of knowledge about their condition and treatment (38%); psychological distress (34%); daytime activities (29%); benefits (28%); food (22%) and physical health (21%). The mean total number of unmet needs was 2.74, with a median of 2.0. More than half the sample (56%, 95% CI 45–66%) exhibited clinical signs of depression. A significant association between depressive symptomology and an unmet physical health need, as measured by the CANFOR-S, was detected (χ 2 = 6.76, df = 1, P < 0.01). Conclusions: high levels of depressive symptoms were experienced by older prisoners on entry into prison. Personalised health and social care needs assessment and discrete depression screening are required on prison entry to facilitate effective management of unmet needs.
Community Service Orders (CSOs) were introduced in Ireland in 1984, to alleviate pressure on over... more Community Service Orders (CSOs) were introduced in Ireland in 1984, to alleviate pressure on overcrowded prison spaces (Rogan, 2011). CSOs are a direct alternative to a custodial sanction. They give offenders the opportunity to complete unpaid work in the community instead of short prison sentences, which have been deemed ineffective in terms of rehabilitation or reducing recidivism (Ministry of Justice, 2010; Howard League, 2011). Current government policy aims to increase the number of CSOs, in order to reduce the high costs associated with short-term imprisonment (Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, 2010; IPRT, 2012). The commencement of the Criminal Justice (Community Service)(Amendment) Act 2011 in Ireland, on October 1st 2011, means courts are required to give greater consideration to Community Service Orders (CSOs) in cases where custodial sentences of less than 12 months are deemed appropriate. To date, the empirical research concerning the operation of these com...
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have multiple health and social care needs that are prominent on entry into prison. No previous studies have identified older
prisoners’ health and social care needs at this crucial point.
Objective: to examine unmet health and social care needs among older men entering prison and their links with depressive symptoms.
Methods: a cross-sectional survey across nine prisons in the North of England was completed. One hundred male prisoners
aged between 60 and 81 were interviewed, using the Camberwell Assessment of Need—Forensic short version (CANFOR-S) and Geriatric Depression Scale—Short Form (GDS-15). Descriptive statistics were generated and χ2 tests performed.
Results: participants reported high levels of unmet needs as measured with the CANFOR-S, notably in the domains of knowledge about their condition and treatment (38%); psychological distress (34%); daytime activities (29%); benefits (28%); food (22%) and physical health (21%). The mean total number of unmet needs was 2.74, with a median of 2.0. More than half the sample (56%, 95% CI 45–66%) exhibited clinical signs of depression. A significant association between depressive symptomology and an unmet physical health need, as measured by the CANFOR-S, was detected (χ 2 = 6.76, df = 1, P < 0.01).
Conclusions: high levels of depressive symptoms were experienced by older prisoners on entry into prison. Personalised health and social care needs assessment and discrete depression screening are required on prison entry to facilitate effective management of unmet needs.
have multiple health and social care needs that are prominent on entry into prison. No previous studies have identified older
prisoners’ health and social care needs at this crucial point.
Objective: to examine unmet health and social care needs among older men entering prison and their links with depressive symptoms.
Methods: a cross-sectional survey across nine prisons in the North of England was completed. One hundred male prisoners
aged between 60 and 81 were interviewed, using the Camberwell Assessment of Need—Forensic short version (CANFOR-S) and Geriatric Depression Scale—Short Form (GDS-15). Descriptive statistics were generated and χ2 tests performed.
Results: participants reported high levels of unmet needs as measured with the CANFOR-S, notably in the domains of knowledge about their condition and treatment (38%); psychological distress (34%); daytime activities (29%); benefits (28%); food (22%) and physical health (21%). The mean total number of unmet needs was 2.74, with a median of 2.0. More than half the sample (56%, 95% CI 45–66%) exhibited clinical signs of depression. A significant association between depressive symptomology and an unmet physical health need, as measured by the CANFOR-S, was detected (χ 2 = 6.76, df = 1, P < 0.01).
Conclusions: high levels of depressive symptoms were experienced by older prisoners on entry into prison. Personalised health and social care needs assessment and discrete depression screening are required on prison entry to facilitate effective management of unmet needs.