Older prisoners are being neglected because the Prison Service is failing to meet their specialist health, social and rehabilitation needs, according to a new report by the Prison Reform Trust.

The report encourages the Prison Service to focus more on social care provision, develop appropriate education and rehabilitation programmes, and look at the specific resettlement needs of older prisoners who now number over 1,200.

It reveals that more than 80 per cent of older prisoners have a long standing chronic illness or disability, more than half suffer from a mental disorder, and many have no family or community links.

'Growing Old In Prison' from 020 7251 5070

www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk