Advancing Corrections Journal - Edition #12 - Innovation in Correctional Healthcare (ACJ12-A009)

Article 9: Development of a Strategy to Raise Awareness of the Physical, Social, and Mental Needs of Older Adults in Prison (ACJ12-A009)

Abstract

While an emerging body of knowledge has already shown that older people in prison have a complex set of unaddressed needs and experiences, there is little research on how this knowledge can be translated into action. Older adults are the fastest growing group in many prison populations and thus it is timely to reflect on an awareness-raising strategy. Prisons should be dealing with this unique and increasing prison population by adopting an evidence-informed approach. By using the knowledge-to-action process model (KTA) to integrate existing research on the needs of older adults in prison, this paper examines the factors, implementation actions and processes in developing a strategy that optimizes awareness of older adults in prison and their needs.

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Authors

Diete Humblet

Researcher, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Odisee University of Applied Sciences, Belgium

Diete Humblet, LLM, MSc, PhD, is a postdoctoral researcher at Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Odisee University of Applied Sciences (Belgium) and is one of the core members of the Centre of Expertise on Older Adult Care (EXP-O) at Odisee. She obtained her PhD in Criminology (VUB, 2018) based on an ethnographic study in two Flemish prisons into the meaning of imprisonment in later life. Her dissertation was published as a book The Older Prisoner (2021) in the series of Palgrave studies in Prisons and Penology. In the aftermath, she led the project Oscar (www.odisee.be/oscar), in which she introduced and professionalized correctional aged in Belgium. She currently conducts research on ageism in prison.

Liesbeth Naessens

Lecturer, Researcher, Odisee University of Applied Sciences, University of Antwerp, Belgium

Liesbeth Naessens is a lecturer and researcher at Odisee University of Applied Sciences department of social work and a researcher at the University of Antwerp. Her research interest includes social work practices towards people confronted with criminal justice interventions. She is currently working on a PhD concerning the role of social work in realizing human rights for people in and after detention. Furthermore, she has practical experience as a social worker within criminal justice welfare work.

Hilde Lahaye

Lecturer, Researcher, Odisee University of Applied Sciences, Belgium

Hilde Lahaye, MSc, is a lecturer in Nursing and researcher at Odisee University of Applied Sciences and vzw Samenouder elderly care.

Wim Peersman

Senior Researcher, Odisee University of Applied Sciences, Belgium

Wim Peersman is senior researcher at Odisee University of Applied Sciences. He holds a PhD in Medical Science and a master’s degree in Sociology. He is lecturer in research methods and did research on primary healthcare, health needs assessment, quality of life of the elderly, and human resources in health.

Katrin Gillis

Lecturer, Researcher, Odisee University College, Belgium

Katrin Gillis, MScN, is lecturer and researcher at Odisee University College in Belgium. As a specialized neuroscience nurse she focusses on quality of life in older adults in residential care settings. Katrin developed with her research team a method for need based care amongst people with dementia. She is involved in several (inter)national projects on neuroscience nursing and care for older adults.

Advancing Corrections Journal - Edition #12 - Innovation in Correctional Healthcare (ACJ12-A009)

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