The social and healthcare needs of older prisoners in England and Wales

The social and healthcare needs of older prisoners in England and Wales is a topic of critical importance. With an ageing prisoner population that is rapidly increasing as part of a prison system that is operating at close to capacity, there is an urgent need to consider how best to meet these needs. This chapter considers the social and healthcare needs of older prisoners in England and Wales through the lens of the Care Act (2014). It argues that while progress has been made in the provision of both, those in prison are not receiving equivalent care to those in the community. This is highly relevant for social workers, who are among the professionals with vital roles in supporting older prisoners, being involved in assessing their needs, especially when these are marked by complex personal and social circumstances such as addiction, mental health problems, homelessness, or histories of abuse.