Old and dangerous: Prison and dementia.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Criminology
• Neurology

Background:

• The population of older prisoners is rapidly increasing globally.
• A significant portion of incarcerated elderly individuals may have pre-existing cognitive impairments or develop them during imprisonment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the challenges and implications of detaining individuals with dementia within correctional facilities.
• To highlight the lack of comprehensive data on this specific demographic.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted using Medline and other relevant databases.
• Keywords included 'dementia,' 'elderly,' 'prison,' and 'criminal,' with a publication cutoff of August 2016.
• Reviewed articles, chapters, and books, and examined their bibliographies for additional references.

Main Results:

• A significant gap in research and data exists concerning elderly prisoners with dementia.
• The aging prison population suggests a concurrent rise in age-related conditions like dementia.
• Current legal and social frameworks appear inadequate for managing dementia cases in prisons.

Conclusions:

• There is an urgent need to address the growing issue of dementia among older inmates.
• Implementing comprehensive health assessments for older offenders, including cognitive and psychiatric evaluations, is recommended.
• Proactive measures are necessary to prepare correctional systems for the increasing prevalence of dementia in prisons.