Recommendation 21

An ageing prison population creates specific pressures on the prison system. Currently, the response to these and the treatment of older prisoners is highly inconsistent across the prison estate. Though the Model for Operational Delivery: Older Prisoners contains useful operational guidance, it is not enough to address this inconsistency and ensure the prison system can properly respond to the needs of the older cohorts. With the older prison population likely to rise further in the coming years, the MoJ should produce a national strategy for older prisoners. This strategy should encompass the provision of suitable accommodation for older prisoners, health 48 Ageing prison population and social care on the prison estate, and the release of older prisoners, including continuity of medical treatment or care in the community. It must also ensure that the resourcing and expansion of the prison estate is aligned to projections of the older prisoner population. (Paragraph 122) Ageing prison population 49