UP’s Dr Karen Booyens, a senior lecturer in Criminology, and Professor Stephan Geyer of the Department of Social Work and Criminology, detail their research of an often forgotten group – elderly offenders who are incarcerated.  

Since 1991, the International Day of Older Persons has been observed on the 1 October each year, and reminds us to consider the plight of older people (60 years and older). It is projected that by 2050, the world’s older population will reach 1.6 billion. In South Africa, about 6.1 million people are 60 years and older. Of these, 73% rely on the Older Persons Grant to sustain them.

Older people are among the most vulnerable in society. Elder abuse, especially financial abuse, and exposure to several forms of crime, is a daily reality for some older people in South Africa. Community-dwellers often live in extended households where they become victims of abuse by their own family and even community members. However, seniors may also commit crimes and end up in prison – this group is often forgotten by the general population.

Internationally, the population of older people in prisons is growing. Known as the ‘greying’ offender population, it is the fastest-growing prison cohort. It is estimated that by 2030, more than one-third of the global prison population will consist of elderly inmates (50 years and older). In South Africa, the number of incarcerated older people are unknown, as the Department of Correctional Services does not release such statistics.

Our research among older male offenders in Gauteng has shown that older people are serving sentences for sexual offences, violent crimes (such as assault, murder and robbery) and economic crimes (like fraud and embezzlement). Older male offenders are vulnerable to victimisation, such as theft, and verbal and physical assault; while sexual assault, often at the hands of younger inmates, is under-reported. An older male inmate said that “even during admission, the elderly should be treated differently, as we are not prison-wise and adjustment is very difficult”.

They also experience challenges such as standing in line for meals, climbing stairs, and getting on and off a bunker bed. Physical decline and medical conditions – such as arthritis, back pain, diabetes, hypertension and prostate problems experienced in old age – make these realities a painful experience for older male inmates. Some even consider self-death. As one study participant said: “If I had a rope, I would have hanged myself.” Offenders who are serving a life sentence often shared their fear of dying in prison, with one saying, “I don’t want to be buried by the state; my wife and kids must know where I am buried.”

South Africa is known for its Bill of Rights, which protect the rights of every person living in the country. Older offenders must equally enjoy these rights. Aligned with the United Nations’ global collaboration known as the Decade of Healthy Ageing 2021 – 2030, we must “change how we think, feel and act towards age and ageing” and “deliver person-centred integrated care… to older people”, including those who are imprisoned.

We call upon society to reach out to older offenders, especially during October. Three practical ways to ease their burden and promote their human rights are to visit them at your nearest prison, and provide a care package with toiletries and something sweet. Churches can reach out and have support groups for older people, and empower them to cope during incarceration and attend to their spiritual needs. Older inmates are often too frail to participate in vocational training; consider visiting them and playing traditional games, building puzzles or doing crosswords with them – whatever they are interested in. As contact with family members may be compromised, these practical ideas may enable elderly people to age with grace in prison. Nonetheless, family visits and calls to mend broken relationships remain important. Do not resist; take their calls.

In the spirit of ubuntu, let us reach out to older people this October. Let us cherish them for their contribution to society and cushion them from the hardship of poverty and harm. Older offenders are the forgotten ones; let us promote their human rights. After all, who are we to judge?