“Place-finding” as the key to reintegration after release from prison in older age: A transdisciplinary, holistic and strengths-based reintegration framework using grounded theory

Abstract

Prisons globally face an ‘ageing epidemic,’ releasing unprecedented numbers of older adults into the community. Research highlights substantial challenges in reintegrating this underserved and marginalised group. Urgent work is needed to understand their needs and develop effective social, criminological, and public health solutions. This study aimed to create a transdisciplinary, strengths-based conceptual framework to understand and begin addressing the reintegration needs of older individuals leaving prison. Applying grounded theory to qualitative data from Australia – including interviews and workshops with stakeholders and individuals with lived experience – resulted in the development of the ‘Place-finding’ conceptual framework. Successful reintegration can be understood in terms of a journey through stages of “institutionalisation,” “crisis,” “survival & adjustment,” and “grounding”. The framework posits that incarceration produces a ‘loss of place’ in individuals, primarily through institutionalisation and disconnection from society. It argues for the consideration of the right supports at the right time for the unique needs of individuals who will vary in their levels of disconnection. It finds key concepts such as facilitating timely access to services, reconnection with society, building key literacies and healing and restoration from past experiences to be vital in this journey. This preliminary framework offers novel theoretical insights and practical implications for understanding and improving reintegration success in older adults, and is potentially applicable to individuals of various ages, incarceration length and location.