Aging Prisoners' Views on Healthcare Services in Swiss Prisons

The Multiple Punishment of Being an Older Adult Coping With Health Problems in Prison

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Studies have examined the vulnerabilities and the extent of health problems experienced by the older adult population in prison. However, reports about the subjective experiences of incarcerated older adults who are coping with health problems are scarce. This is alarming since older adults comprise the fastest-growing demographic in the prison systems of the United States and Europe. The aim of the current study was to bring forth the voices of older adults who are living with diseases in prison and to outline the landscape of struggling with everyday health care management.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

An interpretive phenomenological analysis was used to analyze the narratives of 23 individuals aged 60-88 who were coping with health problems in prison.

RESULTS

The narratives revealed 3 major themes: (1) living day to day with illness in prison: fighting prison bureaucracy and public humiliation; (2) coping with complex medical issues: lack of professional medical care and cumulative problems, and (3) what does the future hold? Fear of living with illness out of prison.

DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS

Intersectionality was used as a conceptual framework for understanding the participants' narratives. The cumulative effect of belonging to systematically oppressed and marginalized groups is discussed. The research findings point to issues and experiences that are unique to older adults coping with health problems in prison and can serve as a framework for developing tailored interventions for these individuals.

"He Needed Just About Everything": Caring for Aging Adults Postincarceration

METHODS

We conducted a thematic analysis on semi-structured interviews with 11 caregivers.

RESULTS

Caregivers discussed how prior incarceration coupled with aging present barriers to housing, employment, and safety-net benefits-making caregiving more difficult. Caregivers assist their older care recipients to develop essential life skills (e.g., scheduling tasks, applying for services) and navigate the dynamic aging process (e.g., loneliness, illness). Caregivers struggle to gain care recipients' trust, often due to their past trauma.

DISCUSSION

Caregivers play essential roles supporting older adults postincarceration, yet they experience significant challenges with limited resources. This study informed the development of a resource guide to assist caregivers. Dedicated programs and policies are needed to address these needs at the local level.