Chapter 4  Elderly Inmates and Probationers/Parolees

Section 1  Actual Situation with Treatment of Elderly Inmates

1 Summary of treatment of elderly inmates

  Since elderly inmates have problems such as declining physical strength due to aging, a higher rate of diseases, the inability to acquire new skills/abilities, and many have no planned place to go after their release, penal institutions are providing treatment that takes these factors into consideration.
  Various measures have already been taken such as reducing hours of prison work, assigning light prison work such as paper craft, etc., providing more clothing/blankets to keep them warm, handing out hot-water bottles and eyeglasses, etc., making efforts in the early discovery of various diseases, and providing thorough medical treatment after discovery of diseases. In addition, institutions that are trying to provide treatment according to the aptitude of elderly inmates are increasing because of the growing number of those requiring assistance in daily movement such as walking and eating, etc. due to declining basic physical strength through aging, those requiring more time and effort with instructions/guidance on prison work and daily living due to declining intellectual functions and understanding, and those who have difficulty carrying out activities such as eating, exercising, and following the regular time schedule due to their slow mobility. Such treatment is generally called “nursing care treatment”, although its content does differ with institution. Some have established a “nursing care factory” in which elderly inmates gather to do mainly light work and some have developed so-called barrier-free environments thorough establishing a detention section specialized for elderly inmates with railings installed and steps between floor levels eliminated.
  As a new measure, the “Kitsuregawa Rehabilitation Program Center” is providing exercises such as calculations, tracing letters, and solving puzzles, etc. using a workbook prepared by a private corporation and self-rehabilitation programs through sport programs and flower arrangement designed for elderly and aiming to improve their ability to adapt to society and the physical functions of elderly inmates, raising their motivation to rehabilitate, and facilitate their smooth reintegration into society. The center has a special unit to house inmates with psychiatric disorders or physical disabilities. The passage between detention facilities of the special unit and the factories is barrier-free with no steps. Bathrooms specialized for those with disabilities are also available. Furthermore, a garden type playground was established in the special unit so that elderly and those who are not able to participate in regular exercise due to declining physical strength have somewhere to do light exercises and take walks as part of their rehabilitation.
  In order to improve the treatment of elderly inmates who have difficulty in daily living such as with walking, etc., construction of special barrier-free facilities with railings and elevators, etc. commenced at Hiroshima Prison, Takamatsu Prison, and Oita Prison in FY2008.
  In addition, some elderly inmates require hospitalization or welfare support immediately after being released and therefore penal institutions are working in cooperation and making arrangements for them with hospitals and welfare agencies upon their release. Some of the penal institutions with large numbers of inmates requiring such arrangements place specialists with the consultation/assistance of welfare, psychiatric social workers and certified social workers, as part-time staff.
  Psychiatric social workers and certified social workers are being placed at penal institutions for offering consultations, advice, and guidance to inmates with mental or physical disabilities regarding their reintegration into society as well as finding hospitals and welfare institutions to receive these inmates and provide effective assistance in making the adjustment to these facilities. As the number of elderly inmates is increasing, the necessity of utilizing these professionals and working in cooperation and making arrangements with related institutions is growing more and more.