Report launch: “In here, time stands still”

29th September 2016

"In here, time stands still": The Rights, Needs and Experience of Older People in Prison"

On Friday 30th Sept 2016, the eve of the UN International Day of Older Persons, IPRT launched a new research report on the rights, needs and experiences of older people in prison in Ireland. The launch took place at 11am in the Ashling Hotel, Parkgate Street, Dublin 8. The report was be available online at www.iprt.ie from 10am. 

Latest figures indicate that almost 10% of people in prison custody today are over the age of 50 (Irish Prison Service, 2015). Older people in prison are a particularly vulnerable group, and they face a wide range of issues which are different from those faced by the general prison population. 

The report examines these issues across six main themes:         

• physical and mental health needs
• mobility and the physical environment
• social care needs
• bullying and victimisation
• participation in prison programmes
• release planning and resettlement 

About the launch:

The launch took place Friday 30th September 2016 at 11am in the Ashling Hotel, Parkgate Street, Dublin 8. The speakers were: 

• Senator David Norris, who launched the report; 
• Joanna Joyce, co-author of the report; 
• Justin Moran, Head of Advocacy and Communications, Age Action Ireland; and 
• Patrick Gageby, SC, who examined the detention in prison of people suffering from dementia or other serious health conditions from a legal perspective.

About the report: 

The 46-page report is based on research commissioned by IPRT and conducted by Joanna Joyce and Dr Tina Maschi. The research comprised a desk-based literature review, and qualitative interviews with prisoners and professional stakeholders. The report offers clear recommendations based on best-practice examples and the recommendations of the research participants and professional stakeholders. 

The research was supported by the St Stephen’s Green Trust. 

For photos of the event, click here.

For media queries, please contact Lorraine / Fíona on 087-1812990 or communications@iprt.ie