Elderly arrestees in police custody cells: implementation of detention and medical decision on fitness to be detained.
BACKGROUND
Most individuals detained in police custody are male adolescents or young adults. Demeaning custody conditions, which are common in French police cells, bring to light legitimate questions about the detention of elderly people. We aimed to determine the proportion of detainees over age 60, their health characteristics and conditions of detention, and the factors included in medical decisions on fitness to be detained.


METHODS
We studied all arrestees over age 60 examined in one year (January 1st-December 31st, 2009) by forensic physicians from our department. We collected data concerning their medical histories, their experiences in police custody, and their reported assaults.


RESULTS
Individuals over 60 accounted for 180 of 15,481 detainees (1%) and were predominantly male (92%). Some arrestees were examined several times during one or more detentions such that a total of 265 medical examinations were performed. Most individuals (133 of 172, 77%) reported one or more chronic somatic disorders and 115 of 160 (72%) were currently receiving treatment for a condition. Less half of two detainees (78 of 170, 46%) expressed some complaints during examination, commonly including pain (54 of 170, 32%), and 115 of 160 arrestees (72%) received medication while in custody. Detainees were considered to be completely fit for police custody in 119 of 259 cases (46%), and 25 of 259 cases (10%) were considered to be unfit to be detained.


CONCLUSIONS
The harsh conditions of police custody are particularly inappropriate for elderly individuals. Guidelines for custody officers and attending physicians that take the specific health needs of older detainees into account should be implemented.
Department of Forensic Medicine, Hôpital Jean-Verdier, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Paris Seine-Saint-Denis (AP-HP), F-93140 Bondy, France.
Aurélie
A
Beaufrère
Department of Forensic Medicine, Hôpital Jean-Verdier, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Paris Seine-Saint-Denis (AP-HP), F-93140 Bondy, France.
Otmane
O
Belmenouar
Department of Forensic Medicine, Hôpital Jean-Verdier, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Paris Seine-Saint-Denis (AP-HP), F-93140 Bondy, France; Université Paris 13, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Institut de recherche interdisciplinaire sur les enjeux sociaux (IRIS), UMR 8156-723 CNRS - INSERM - EHESS, Bobigny F-93000, France. Electronic address: patrick.chariot@jvr.aphp.fr.
Patrick
P
Chariot
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D003415:Crime / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination; D016495:Police; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017678:Sex Distribution
Chronic illness; Elderly individuals; Forensic medicine; Police custody; Victimization