Aging, women and health: From the pains of imprisonment to the pains of reintegration

Abstract

In this article, we examine the ways in which older women's experiences of imprisonment, aging, and health impact their lives. Specifically, we focus on the community reintegration experiences of older women who have served long prison sentences, exploring the lasting effects of imprisonment and aging on their physical and mental health. Two separate Canadian studies of reintegration, consisting of interviews with older reintegrating women, as well as the professionals who assist them in the community, are used to highlight older women's reintegrations. While researchers have argued that older women should face fewer challenges during reintegration and are more likely to succeed in the community than other reintegrating populations, we find that they experience many difficulties and barriers linked to their age, health and gender.

Prison Experiences and Psychological Distress among Older Inmates

“…In the context of this study programs refer to structured events including work, education and offending behavior programs, while activities refer to voluntary and less structured initiatives including exercise and recreation. Qualitative studies from the US, UK and Australia have drawn attention to a lack of appropriate provisions for older prisoners in a range of areas including accommodation, healthcare, education and work (Aday, 2003;Dawes, 2009;Loeb & Steffensmeier, 2011;Mann, 2012;Shantz & Frigon, 2009;Wahidin, 2004).…”

The pains of release: Federally-sentenced women’s experiences on parole

“…Leverentz, 2011; Moran, 2012; Opsal and Foley, 2013), fewer researchers have analyzed the psycho-social and mental health implications of experiences of release from custody and community supervision, which are not captured by analyses of institutional challenges, or by the “pains of imprisonment”. Analyzing the post-release experiences of women released from federal custody in Canada, we contribute empirically and conceptually to research on the pains of release (Durnescu, 2011, 2019; Nugent and Schinkel, 2016; Semenza and Link, 2019; Shantz and Frigon, 2009). Drawing on participants’ casefiles, we consider the multiple stressors women experience in the post-release context as reported by case managers.…”

Medication Use, Substance Use, and Psychological Conditions of Female Inmates in Canadian Federal Prisons

“…Even if this was the case, it is important to remember that difficulties that have been muted in prison may well emerge with the approach of release. The challenge is even greater for women who have a long prison term prior to release (Schantz & Frigon, 2009).…”