title: Social and custodial needs of older adults in prison.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  older prisoners are a fast-growing group but there is limited evidence for how well their needs are being met.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  to quantify the social and custodial needs of older prisoners and suggest improvements for service provision.
  
  
  METHODS
  cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  twelve prisons holding adult males in North West England.
  
  
  METHODS
  two hundred and sixty-two prisoners; 97 aged between 50 and 59, 165 aged 60 and over.
  
  
  METHODS
  interview and case-note review for issues of social and custodial need and quality of life in prison, including Forensic Camberwell Assessment of Need and Lubben Scale for social networks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  many had problems mixing with younger prisoners, accommodation and activities, and limited contact with friends and family. A small group had personal care needs which were not well managed in prison.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  older prisoners have distinct social and custodial needs which need to be addressed by a national strategy for their care and management.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. adrianjhayes@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Adrian J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Hayes
authors.forename: Alistair
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: Pauline
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Turnbull
authors.forename: Jenny J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Shaw
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003482:Custodial Care; D005195:Family Relations; D033062:Friends; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D011330:Prisons; D011788:Quality of Life; D012919:Social Behavior
keywords: forensic; needs assessment; older people; prisoners; service provision