An ageing client base: how can probation deliver support for older service users?
| Author | Nichola Cadet |
| Position | Sheffield Hallam University |
| Pages | 119-133 |
119
British Journal of Community Justice
©2021 Manchester Metropolitan University
ISSN 1475-0279
Vol. 17(2) 119–133
https://doi.org/10.48411/dp4y-f098
AN AGEING CLIENT BASE: HOW CAN PROBATION DELIVER
SUPPORT FOR OLDER SERVICE USERS?
Nichola Cadet, Sheffield Hallam University
Contact: N.Cadet@shu.ac.uk
Abstract
This article explores how the increase of older people on probation caseloads across community orders,
suspended sentences and supervision on licence will affect probation practice, alongside an ageing staff
population. ‘Older’ service users are defined as those aged 50 and over, in keeping with the use of this definition
by Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). The increase in the ageing probation caseload is taking
place against a backdrop of an ageing society which also includes pr obation staff. In probation services the
increase is partly exacerbated by the increasing number of over 50s in the prison population, and in changes to
legislation under the Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014. Drawing upon research, policy and practice from
gerontology, the article identifies some synergies between criminological and gerontological perspectives,
including acknowledgement of lived experience and strengths based approaches. However, the article also
considers that ageist attitudes within society can lead to double discrimination of those on the c aseload, for
example, attitudes towards employment for older people. The article considers the extent to which reducing re-
offending pathways can support this demographic, alongside consideration of individualised approaches to
sentence planning and engagement, requiring both national, and local responses including appropriate training
and support for probation staff.
Keywords: age ageing older workforce lived experience probation
Introduction
Despite an increased focus in older people in some parts of the criminal justice system both in the UK and
internationally, e.g. as victims (Policastro and Finn, 2017; Bows, 2017; 2019, HMICFRS, 2019; Brown and Gordon,
2020) and in particular older people being the fastest growing population in the prison system (Ministry of
Justice, 2020a) scant attention has been paid within probation services in England and Wales to the different
approaches which may need to be undertaken with older offenders either serving a community sentence, or
being released from custody. This is despite over 25,000 people aged over 50 forming par t of the probation
caseload (Cadet, 2020). The increase takes place against a backdrop of a globally ageing population. By 2050, it
is projected that there will be two billion people worldwide aged over 50 compared with one billion in 2020
(World Health Organisation (WHO), 2021). In the UK, the population aged over 65 is the fastest growing
population. The projections are that by 2050 one in four people will be aged 65 or over, compared with one in
five in 2018 (Office for National Statistics (ONS), 2019). In 2019, almost one in every 100 people (0.9%) in the UK
were aged 90 years or over (ONS, 2020). This has policy implications for all organisations for both their workforce
and the recipients of their services.
Reviewing the published articles for the ‘towards 2020’ special edition of the BJCJ, Oldfield (2016) cautions
against practitioners looking for ‘easy wins’ and the need for new systems to be scrutinised for discrimination.
Just as Oldfield criticised probation practice for developing ‘col our blind’ approaches, and lauded approaches
towards meeting the diverse needs of women following the 2007 Corston review, the National Probation Service
are in similar danger of not meeting the needs of older probation service users by not engaging with older people
and their experiences as a matter of course. After more than two decades of researchers, i nspectorates and
policy campaigners calling for a national strategy for work with older people in prison (Her Majesty’s
Inspectorate of Prisons, 2004; 2008; Hayes, Burns, Turnbull & Shaw, 2013; House of Commons Justice
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