Exploration of older prisoner’s social needs, who attended one of two prison initiatives for older people: An inductive phenomenological study

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the social needs and experiences of older prisoners who were attending one of two social initiatives in a prison in England. Methodology: An interpretative phenomenological study, conducted in a prison in the South West of England. Older prisoners attending an initiative implemented for those over 55, a purposive activity or a social task group, participated in a focus group, which were audio recorded and thematically analysed. Findings: Two overarching themes were identified. Firstly, the need to feel safe, prisoners felt attending an initiative provided them with a safe haven away from noisy and boisterous younger prisoners, who they perceived as different from them and received preferential treatment. Secondly, being provided with a purpose, prisoners felt they belonged amongst their peers, which motivated them to attend and support group activities. Research limitations/implications: This study was completed in one prison, however both initiatives supported the social needs of older prisoners and enabled them to leave their cells, although they felt unsafe when not attending an initiative. Originality/value: The need remains to support the process of integrating younger and older prisoners, with the provision of both integrated and separate initiatives, with the aim of developing cross-generational bi-direction peer support