12th July 2012
Under current legislation in the UK, there is ambiguity in relation to the responsibility for the care of elderly prisoners. The government's new White Paper 'Caring for our future: reforming care and support' includes the development of a framework to address and clarify the future provision of care of elderly prisoners. People aged over 60 years are the fastest growing age group in custody in the UK.
Irish elderly prisoner population: In 2011, 186 people aged over 60 years were committed to prison. 27 of these people were aged between 70 and 80 years.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.