NSW prisons have seen men aged over 65 increase by 225% over the past 10 years. They now have over 1,000 aged inmates out of 12,100 (8%) but have just over 500 aged care beds (4%).

The departing NSW Inspector of Custodial Services, John Paget, says there is no development of new aged care beds on the horizon plus the Corrective Services staff don’t have the training to support ageing inmates with mental health and degenerative age related diseases. Inmates are relied on to change clothing and bedding and respond to after hour’s emergency calls.

He cited a report that it costs $1,000 a day in Sydney’s Long Bay aged care facility compared to $145 a day for a new minimum security aged care facility.