Ageing Prisoners - Significant Cohort or Forgotten Minority?

In 2006 rising numbers of older offenders represent a significant strategic issue for prisons in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States. A statistical analysis of the number of older prisoners in Australia reveals similar trends. For the purpose of this research 'ageing prisoner' means a man or women aged 45 or above. This thesis seeks to contribute to an understanding of what it means to age in prison, and explores ageing in the context of population demographics, Aboriginality, ethnicity, social class, gender, deviance, and the 'positive ageing' concepts that inform twenty-first century discourse. A discussion on the concept of 'ageing in place' in the prison environment draws on national and international literature to identify the experiences of older prisoners, and highlight the emerging challenges for prison administrators. This thesis involved an extensive analysis of prison statistics from Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia and New Zealand. It provides an extended discussion of the dynamics and challenges of ageing in prison and concludes with a synopsis of the issues confronting service provision and prison processes in the light of the offence profiles and special needs of older inmates.