Unit. D.5.7. Aging Offender

Australia	focus points

Insert forensic focus points here

Canada	focus points

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International	focus points

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United Kingdom	focus points

"The study suggests that some admissions to specialist services reflect an absence of more suitable provision for elderly patients at a lower level of security. Forensic psychiatry services were not involved with the growing number of elderly prisoners who are serving longer prison sentences and the needs of this group require further study" (Coid, Fazel, Kahtan, 2002, p. 416). "In a study of admissions to medium- and high-security from 7 of 14 health regions over a 7-year period, less than 2% were aged 60 years or over. These patients were atypical and highly selected, and half had committed homicide. Depressive illness, delusional disorder and dementia were the most prevalent diagnoses. The patients aged 60 and over had fewer previous convictions than younger patients, and were older when first admitted to psychiatric hospitals, usually in the context of their offending behaviour. The study suggests that some admissions to specialist services reflect an absence of more suitable provision for elderly patients at a lower level of security. Forensic psychiatry services were not involved with the growing number of elderly prisoners who are serving longer prison sentences and the needs of this group require further study" (Coid, Fazel, Kahtan, 2002, p. 416).

 

United States	focus points

"An older population inflicted with chronic disease, disability and terminal illness has increased in the prison population and health service utilization rates are 5-6 time higher than the rates in the community" (Goldkuhle, 1999, p. 40). "The elderly inmate poses special problems for the correctional system due to the aging process with its attendant physical decrements" (Smyer, Gragert, & LaMere, 1997, p. 12 & 17). "Interventions with the elderly prisoners include measures to enhance environmental factors to security and safety needs, attention to acute and chronic illness behaviours and emphasis on wellness and preventive care" (Smyer, Gragert, & LaMere, 1997, p. 17). "Mental health professionals can build partnerships with community, state and national organizations to assist the elderly in their adjustment to prison and foster successful community release programs" (Smyer, Gragert, & LaMere, 1997, p. 17). "The elderly prisoner can be differentiated into three distinct categories based on patterns of criminal activity over time" (Aday, 1994; Morton, 1992; cited in Smyer, Gragert, & LaMere, 1997, p. 10-11). "Long term inmates, when expressing their desire to survive in prison, explain that two factors would contribute to this (a) avoiding physical danger and (b) maintaining good health to live long enough to reach the end of their sentence" (Gordon & Wallace, 1991; cited in Smyer, Gragert, & LaMere, 1997, p. 10). "On average, the non-incarcerated elderly have two or more chronic illnesses, elderly inmates have three or more (Aday, 1994). Elderly inmates are hospitalized more often than younger inmates except for those with AIDS related symptoms" (Glaser, Warchol, D'Angelo & Guterman, 1990; cited in Smyer, Gragert, & LaMere, 1997, p. 12).

 

Focus Points Reference

Coid, J., Fazel, S., Kahtan, N. (2002). Elderly patients

admitted to secure forensic psychiatry services. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry, 13(2), 416-427. December 12, 2002, from Academic Search Premier database: http://search.epnet.com/direct.asp?an=7287871&db=aph

Goldkuhle, 1999.

Smyer, T., Gragert, M. & LaMere, S. (1997). Stay safe!

Stay healthy! Surviving old age in prison. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing & Mental Health Services, 35(9), 10-17

 

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Unit. D.5.7. Aging Offender

From 'forensic presentations' in the forensic sourcebooks the following presentations have been selected for this unit:

Forensic Medicine/Forensic History/Historical Firsts and Facts

Australia	Presentation(s)

Insert power point presentation here

Canada	Presentation(s)

Insert power point presentation here (sample)

International	Presentation(s)

Insert power point presentation here

United Kingdom	Presentation(s)

Insert power point presentation here

United States	Presentation(s)

Insert power point presentation here

 

This section will continually be added to with guest presentations from forensic experts locally, nationally and internationally and with student presentations.

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Unit. D.5.7. Aging Offender

From 'forensic cases' in the forensic sourcebooks the following case studies have been selected for this unit.

Australia	case study

Insert case study here

Canada	case study

Insert case study here

International	case study

Insert case study here

United Kingdom	case study

Insert case study here

United States	case study

Insert case study here

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Unit. D.5.7. Aging Offender

From 'forensic experts' in the forensic sourcebooks the following panel of experts has been selected for this unit:

	forensic panels of experts

Insert forensic panel here…………

Australia	authors/experts

Insert specific author/expert name(s) here

Canada	authors/experts

Insert specific author/expert name(s) here

International	authors/experts

Insert specific author/expert name(s) here

United Kingdom	authors/experts

Insert specific author/expert name(s) here

United States	authors/experts

Insert specific author/expert name(s) here

 

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