Age and Ageing 2001; 30: 403-407
© 2001, British Geriatrics Society
Research papers |
Health of elderly male prisoners: worse than the general population, worse than younger prisoners
University of Oxford Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK
1 Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Institute of Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
2 Institute of Criminology, Faculty of Law, University College Dublin, Ireland
3 Prison Health Policy Unit, National Health Service Executive, London, UK
Abstract
Background: assessment of the health of men aged 60 and over in English and Welsh prisons.
Methods: 203 men were interviewed from 15 prisons, comprising one-fifth of all sentenced men in this age group in England and Wales. Assessment included semi-structured interviews covering chronic and acute health problems, and recording of major illnesses from the medical notes and prison reception health screen.
Results: 85% of the elderly prisoners had one or more major illnesses reported in their medical records, and 83% reported at least one chronic illness on interview. The most common illnesses were psychiatric, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and respiratory.
Conclusion: the rates of illness in elderly prisoners are higher than those reported in other studies of younger prisoners and surveys of the general population of a similar age. The increasing number of elderly people in prison poses specific health challenges for prison health-care services.
Keywords: Barthel index, health services, prisoners, prisons, smoking
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  S. J. Loeb, D. Steffensmeier, and F. Lawrence Comparing Incarcerated and Community-Dwelling Older Men's Health West J Nurs Res, March 1, 2008; 30(2): 234 - 249. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. F. Linder and F. J. Meyers Palliative Care for Prison Inmates: "Don't Let Me Die in Prison" JAMA, August 22, 2007; 298(8): 894 - 901. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. R. Collins and R. Bird The Penitentiary visit--a new role for geriatricians? Age Ageing, January 1, 2007; 36(1): 11 - 13. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. J. Loeb and D. Steffensmeier Older Male Prisoners: Health Status, Self-Efficacy Beliefs, and Health-Promoting Behaviors Journal of Correctional Health Care, October 1, 2006; 12(4): 269 - 278. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C. F. Lewis, C. Fields, and E. Rainey A Study of Geriatric Forensic Evaluees: Who Are the Violent Elderly? J Am Acad Psychiatry Law, September 1, 2006; 34(3): 324 - 332. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. A. Yorston and P. J. Taylor Commentary: Older Offenders--No Place to Go? J Am Acad Psychiatry Law, September 1, 2006; 34(3): 333 - 337. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. Fazel and R. Benning Natural deaths in male prisoners: a 20-year mortality study Eur J Public Health, August 1, 2006; 16(4): 441 - 444. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 H. Tuite, K. Browne, and D. O'Neill Prisoners in general hospitals: doctors' attitudes and practice. BMJ, March 4, 2006; 332(7540): 548 - 549. [Full Text]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. Mateyoke-Scrivner, J. M. Webster, M. L. Hiller, M. Staton, and C. Leukefeld Criminal History, Physical and Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Services Use Among Incarcerated Substance Abusers Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice, February 1, 2003; 19(1): 82 - 97. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. Curtice Psychiatric morbidity and elderly offenders The British Journal of Psychiatry, March 1, 2002; 180 (3): 279 - 280. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|