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Photo by Ed Clark

The lack of a national strategy to address the health, social care, rehabilitation and resettlement needs of older prisoners has been highlighted in an exhibition of photographs taken at Kingston prison, writes Clare Jerrom.

There has been a significant increase in older people in custody and there are now believed to be a record number of disabled prisoners, although the Prison Service does not collect data on disability.

“Given the state of our overcrowded, under-resourced prison system there can be no doubt that growing numbers of elderly and disabled prisoners experience a severe kind of double punishment in the harsh environment of crumbling Victoria jails,” said Juliet Lyon, director of the Prison Reform Trust.

Speaking at the exhibition she added: “While there is little or no fear that they will escape, there is every chance that they will leave prison utterly unprepared for life outside.”

The charity claims that disabled prisoners say they are rarely given equal access to prison activities and some complain of discrimination. Although the Home Office has pledged to comply with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act, there is no ring-fenced money to alter or modify buildings.

The exhibition of photographs taken by Ed Clark is launched today and they will be on display at the FrameZero Gallery in London until October 22nd.