Zimmer Frame Society

Zimmer Frame Society

By: Winston Churchill Irvine

Winston Churchill Irvine highlights an initiative that might signal a whole new way of caring for elderly and disabled prisoners

The prison population in England & Wales continues to surpass all previous records almost on a daily basis. As this population hovers around the 83,000 mark, and the learned judges continue to incarcerate and sentence people to unduly lengthy prison terms, it can only add up to one thing: thousands of prison places will have to be found for a growing number of old and disabled prisoners.

These aged and infirm men and women, including many hundreds sentenced to life, will, through time, suffer from various forms of disability. However, as this Zimmer frame society transgresses from the infirm to the completely disabled, something will have to be done before it's too late.

So what exactly is being done? And why is the Prison Service seemingly preparing the old and the disabled for the scrapheap? Is there another, better option by which to treat this forgotten society?

The Prison Service acknowledges that elderly and infirm prisoners are, and will be, a huge problem in years to come. Yet, as is frequently the case, they argue that there is insufficient funding to pay for specialist equipment for those that have severe disabilities, other than what is required by law.

Sometimes though, cash can be found to convert existing buildings and transform them into accommodation for the disabled; this is what has happened here at Leyhill Prison in Gloucestershire, a low security category 'D' establishment. For example, a ground floor spur on one of the wings was converted to house prisoners with disabilities. Cell doors were enlarged for wheelchair users; shelves that held televisions were lowered and prisoners supplied with remote controls; in-cell lighting was adapted for those who have epilepsy and portable loop systems made available for those with impaired hearing. The toilets, shower rooms and general ablution areas were specially adapted. Emergency warning notices have been displayed on each cell door and a chair-ramp constructed where once there was stairs.

However, it had taken four long years to raise the level of awareness of the disabled within the prison. It was as far back as 2003/2004 that the seeds were sown before the project was finally completed. As these seeds germinated into fruition, another campaign was launched by Prison Officer Sue Sharples, who is the prison liaison officer for aged and disabled prisoners.

This new operation concerned the building of a conservatory, which would be attached to the newly converted wing and used as a day centre. This project was ultimately shelved due to costs - however Sue Sharples, who was joined by Michele Plant, the then manager of the Health Care Centre, battled on relentlessly. The latter liaised with the Primary Care Trust (NHS) to get the day centre project off the ground. The Prison Service and the Governor had to be convinced that a separate building would be beneficial for those with a range of disabilities.

After months of tough negotiations, it was decided that such a place would benefit the old and disabled and would be a much better option than allowing them to stagnate in cold and comfortless cells with only four walls and a television set for company. The paperwork was rubber-stamped and the Leyhill day centre was finally opened in 2006.

The centre consists of a large comfortable room, which has a small kitchen at one end, and a large patio outside the entrance. Within the centre various activities take place, while painting is a favourite pastime and the ‘masterpieces’ that already grace the walls testify to the hidden talents of the old and infirm. Some paintings are either sold to raise cash for charitable purposes or entered for national prison awards such as the Koestlers.

For those unable to participate in the ‘Fit for Life’ project, there are several other pursuits available; the extensive allotment for example, designed and constructed by one of the day centre users. It is here that the soil is tilled and tended with loving care and a huge variety of fruit and vegetables are grown and harvested.

Day centre users have an assortment of choices; they can go for walks within the perimeters of the vast sports field, provided it is organised and pre-arranged. There is also a sheltered bowling green, where many class matches have been won and lost. Somewhere in between these activities there is still time for a brew-up, and tea is served, weather permitting, on the ample-sized flag-stone patio. The patio is surrounded by a wooden fence and part-raised garden. Hanging baskets adorn the centre's walls, which gives off an aura of a completely calm and stress free atmosphere.

Two professional carers help in the day to day running of the centre and they too participate in the activities on offer. They also understand that a positive and structured routine can and does stimulate the mind as well as the body. 'Far better than working in the prison workshops,' said one man. 'A good alternative to work, which many of us can't do anyway', said another. Anther prisoner added: 'The day centre is a Godsend, for without it I'd be lost'.

Links have been forged with Stuart Ware of Age Concern and he visits the day centre on a monthly basis. Outside visitors come in to give talks on travel, and presentations by other prisoners who are taking various Key Skill level examinations in communication tend to be very popular.

Leyhill Prison is not run on the 'holiday camp' style atmosphere, which from time to time certain national media groups depict when there is nothing better to fill column inches. Many of the day centre prisoners are serving life sentences and have spent many years inside. Leyhill is the last leg of that journey, where the aged and disabled are assessed for resettlement into the wider community. Therefore if people like Sue Sharpies, Michele Plant and Governor Bell are willing to try and test such a venture; that can only mean that even the most severely disabled have a significantly brighter future to look forward to.