The future of Czech prisons: retirement homes and hospices?

• In Event: PWG - Prison policies, human rights, and the treatment of vulnerable populations

Abstract

In Czech prison practice, the term "permanently unemployable prisoners" is used to refer to a group of prisoners who are particularly vulnerable as a result of a disability, both physical and mental, or due to age. Their disabilities also have a significant impact on their participation in rehabilitation programmes and create specific requirements for prison conditions, including the type of accommodation. In the context of an ageing population, the proportion of disabled people in Czech prisons is already increasing, which calls for well-designed systemic changes, especially in terms of staffing requirements, specific health care and appropriate rehabilitation activities for this group of prisoners. The paper focuses on the main challenges related to the imprisonment of disabled people and proposes measures to improve conditions, with an emphasis on dignity, active ageing and efficient use of available resources.

Authors

• Tereza Raszková, Institute of Criminology and Social Prevention (IKSP)

• Petra Zhrivalova, Institute of Criminology and Social Prevention

• Lucie Háková, Institute of Criminology and Social Prevention