Dementia in the criminal justice system: a brief report from a nominal group
The number of older adults in prison is increasing. Both dementia and mild cognitive impairment are becoming more prominent issues within the prison system. This paper explores the opinions and accounts of staff working alongside older prisoners with dementia to highlight current care, complexities...
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| Contributors: | ; ; ; ; ; ; |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2025
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| In: |
The journal of forensic psychiatry & psychology
Year: 2025, Volume: 36, Issue: 1, Pages: 76-88 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (kostenfrei) |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
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| Summary: | The number of older adults in prison is increasing. Both dementia and mild cognitive impairment are becoming more prominent issues within the prison system. This paper explores the opinions and accounts of staff working alongside older prisoners with dementia to highlight current care, complexities of care provision, and areas for necessary development. Eight professionals were recruited to a nominal group discussion. Five themes were identified: 1) staffing; 2) security versus care; 3) distorted pathway to specialised services; 4) bespoke specialised facilities; and 5) compassionate release. The group highlighted the discrepancy between the needs of those with dementia and a lack of care and understanding within the prison system. Proposed areas for improvement included more thorough training, improved dementia care pathways, and the need to adapt the prison environment to be more appropriate for those with dementia. There is a lack of empirical evidence to understand how best to provide care for this vulnerable group. The gap between the standard of community and prison health and social care for this population should be addressed. |
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| ISSN: | 1478-9957 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/14789949.2024.2437458 |