A new report produced by the University of Manchester and the charity Recoop has called for a new national strategy in order to support the growing number of elderly people in custody.

There are now four times as many people over the age of 60 in prison today as there were just over 20 years ago. Nearly a quarter of those incarcerated are over 50. 

The report, entitled Finding Meaning Behind Bars, recommends greater staff training on the needs of older prisoners – including an understanding of age-related health issues. It also highlights that old, Victorian prisons are simply ill-designed to meet the needs of older people, many of whom have mobility issues. The report recommends activities for older prisoners in prison such as weekly clubs, animal-assisted schemes, self-catering sessions, shared memory activities and IT training – better enabling older prison leavers to navigate life upon their release.

To read the full report, click here.