| In this hermeneutic phenomenological study this researcher focuses on the treatment of older prisoners and their human rights. Older prisoners may be defined thus, those who are 50 years or older. In this study this researcher explores human rights issues as understood by correctional professionals (prison officers, parole officers and Board members, psychologists, social workers, the clergy, and counsellors). These rights may be linked, for example, to older prisoners' safety, dignity, education, privacy, and well-being. Safety can be an issue for older prisoners who seek to resist bullying or violence by younger prisoners.;The methods that are applied in this study include a questionnaire and telephone-based interviews. This researcher finds that grievance procedures and prison programs, planning, policies and services could be developed. She also recommends that further research and development be carried out linked to older prisoners' rights and situations. In this study this researcher develops new knowledge about older prisoners needs and circumstances. She considers means to enhance older prisoners' well-being whilst developing the public safety, and expands upon existing literature in the field of corrections.;This researcher also centers in this study on older prisoners' needs and contexts from a human rights perspective. The understanding, knowledge and experiences of 33 participants who are correctional professionals guide this study. These participants work with or are otherwise involved with older prisoners. This researcher provides recommendations to guide participants in their efforts to meet older prisoners' legal, treatment, rehabilitative and reintegration needs. Focus in this study is on understanding older prisoners' rights, needs and service responses as participants view them to be. |
