[Dependence for daily life activities in the prison population in Western France]

As the mean age of the penitential population rises and the duration of imprisonment grows longer, health services are confronted with the problem of prisoners dependent for daily life activities. The purpose of this study was to determine the number of prisoners dependent for daily life activities and quantify their dependency on human and material support.

A survey was conducted in the summer of 2,000 in the western region of France (19 prisons in the following regions: Pays-de-Loire, Brittany, Lower Normandy).

Among the 4,168 persons incarcerated in these regions, 32 dependent prisoners were identified: 21 men (mean age 57 years) and 11 women (mean age 48 years). Among these persons, 19 suffered from major or moderate dependence (GIR 1-4). The main problems involved toilet facilities, dressing, transfers, and moving about. When human support was available, it was generally provided by other prisoners. Material help was scarce.

The questions of prisoner's rights, human assistance, the status of caregivers, and the need for adapted architectural, material, and medical facilities are discussed. The information collected here provides a better knowledge of prisoners' needs for support and for changes which would be necessary in the prison environment.