Prisoners take part in National Dementia Strategy Government Consultation
Wednesday, September 24th 2008
The Seniors Forum at HMP Leyhill today (6th September) became the only group of prisoners to be consulted as part of the National Dementia Strategy Consultation. Professor Jane Gilliard of the National Dementia Strategy Working Group discussed the 5 year government plan to make care and support services better for people with dementia and their carers. As the only prisoners to take part in the consultation, the group provided valuable feedback on the kinds of issues that would be faced by those with dementia within a prison environment. There are several kinds of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease being the best known. Dementia is the decline of mental ability, affecting memory, thinking, problem solving, concentration and perception; it also affects behaviour and can induce repetitive behaviour.
The Seniors Forum discussed the difficulties faced by older prisoners in getting a diagnosis as well as management of the condition, feeling “the prison services were not well equipped to deal with the aging population”. The main concern comes from diagnosis. If you are already diagnosed before entering prison, staff will be made aware. However, signs and symptoms may not be easily recognised once within the prison environment and it was felt that some staff may mistakenly think that forgetfulness is simply a prisoner being awkward, and this could lead to punishments or further action being taken. Health care staff do not work on the wings and the group felt Prison Officers should receive training on how to cope with progressive conditions like dementia and recognising the signs, in order to refer prisoners to healthcare professionals for assessment. Although dementia is classed as a disability under the Disability Discrimination Act, it is often seen in the prison environment as a medical condition rather than a disability. Due to medical confidentiality, problems can then occur with information not being communicated effectively to those in direct contact with individuals. Professor Gilliard explained how there are limited physical aids available but that an individual carer might take the initiative to supply perhaps a calendar or strategically placed notes to remind a person with dementia what they should be doing, for instance at a wash hand basin etc. Concern was raised that Prison Officers would need to take an interest in individuals and it was felt by those present that this was “unlikely to happen”. The group felt Prison Officers would be key to assisting in diagnosis and support of individuals suffering from dementia and as such required additional support and guidance from the Government plan.
Both prisoners and prison officers found the discussion extremely useful and Professor Gilliard has taken back some crucial points for the consultation. The final strategy together with a plan to help people carry it out will be published in November 2008.
Seniors Forums are being jointly developed in prisons between Age Concern Older Offenders Project (ACOOP) and Help the Aged (HTA) Speaking Up For Our Age (SUFOA) Programme. For further information contact Liz Davis 01460 76003 (ACOOP) or Dick Stokes 01395 222306 (HTA).