Table 4 Priority rank and score for all recommendations by stakeholder type

Establishment of an independent reintegration team to liaise with all the different groups and services involved in release planning

1 (145)

1 (64)

1 (27)

1 (29)

10 (5)

Improved systems for information sharing, administration and communication between stakeholders and services

2 (108)

2 (53)

11 (16)

5 (21)

2 (18)

Transition planning should occur as early as possible during a person’s time in custody (ideally at least 3–6 months prior to release)

3 (89)

6 (26)

5 (22)

6 (20)

1 (21)

Immediate health needs upon release should be taken care of (Uninterrupted access to mobility equipment, sufficient prescription medication to outlast any service delays or public holidays)

4 (79)

3 (41)

12 (15)

8 (11)

3 (15)

Digital literacy/ technology readiness programs (e.g., smartphones, internet, accessing services online) for older people

5 (76)

5 (27)

6 (21)

2 (23)

6 (11)

Cognitive function and dementia assessment/diagnosis should be available to all older people in prison

6 (72)

14 (11)

2 (35)

2 (23)

10 (5)

Intense, person-centered case management approach developed with the input of the individual

7 (69)

8 (22)

15 (10)

2 (23)

4 (14)

Life skills courses to prepare for release that is focused on daily living (e.g., cooking, transport) and accessing services (e.g., going to the bank)

8 (67)

4 (40)

4 (27)

-

-

Increased housing options specifically for older people who are leaving prison, especially those convicted of sex crimes

9 (64)

16 (6)

3 (32)

7 (12)

4 (14)

Prison leavers should have a physical transition support “package” in hand (including e.g., key contacts for local services, tips, to do lists, medical records and identification)

10 (53)

7 (23)

9 (18)

8 (11)

23 (1)

Increased independence and responsibility during incarcerated life to emulate more real-world conditions (e.g., responsibility for meals)

11 (42)

9 (21)

12 (15)

15 (6)

-

Release ‘practice’ via excursions, or immersive experiences (e.g., videos, role play, virtual reality) to increase familiarity with post-release life

12 (34)

13 (12)

10 (17)

11 (10)

-

Programs to increase self-efficacy and agency in older people leaving prison

13 (33)

10 (19)

22 (7)

8 (11)

-

Older people leaving prison should be deemed a priority population for the Commonwealth funded Care Finders initiative to help access aged care services

13 (33)

16 (6)

7 (19)

-

7 (8)

Increased use of diversion policies for older people who could be better housed/rehabilitated elsewhere

15 (29)

11 (15)

20 (9)

20 (3)

20 (2)

Introduce health assessments in prison that are aligned with Commonwealth funded aged care services, that also include a risk assessment component

16 (28)

12 (14)

-

11 (10)

10 (5)

Initiatives to address stigma in the general public towards prison leavers, especially against those convicted of sex crimes

17 (27)

19 (1)

14 (11)

11 (10)

10 (5)

Sustainable funding models for programs that are found to be effective

18 (26)

-

15 (10)

11 (10)

7 (8)

Fill service gaps for First Nations prison leavers who have unique cultural and health needs

19 (19)

-

7 (19)

-

-

A trauma-informed care framework should be adopted by all stakeholders

20 (17)

-

15 (10)

16 (4)

17 (3)

Preventative functional maintenance programs are needed to prevent deterioration during incarceration

21 (16)

-

15 (10)

22 (2)

15 (4)

Seamless transition between state or commonwealth services and in-prison services for people entering and leaving prison (ie going from a Medicare to Justice Health environment, and leaving again)

22 (14)

18 (5)

25 (3)

16 (4)

20 (2)

Government funded, centralised transition support and advocacy roles that bridge pockets of practice across areas

23 (13)

-

15 (10)

-

17 (3)

Clearer responsibilities and roles on the part of community services (e.g., disability, aged care) to remove the risk of this group falling between the gaps

24 (12)

-

21 (8)

-

17 (3)

Increased education for nursing homes and aged care staff to reduce stigma and increase confidence

24 (12)

-

15 (10)

-

20 (2)

Longer and consistent funding to allow programs to be piloted, evaluated and implemented

26 (10)

-

28 (1)

20 (3)

9 (6)

A state/national forum for stakeholders to share experiences and plan to work together better

27 (7)

-

27 (2)

-

10 (5)

Release planning should occur regardless of risk level

27 (7)

15 (7)

-

-

-

Increased cooperation from Local Health Districts for release planning

27 (7)

-

22 (7)

-

-

Peer mentoring by someone with lived experience, involving both counselling and moral support

30 (5)

19 (1)

-

16 (4)

-

Parole boards should reconsider programs that are not suited for older people due to issues such as cognitive ability

31 (4)

-

-

16 (4)

-

Initiatives to increase public awareness of the existence of this population and the societal economic and human rights implications

31 (4)

-

-

-

15 (4)

Activities in the community to help make new social connection

33 (3)

-

25 (3)

-

-

A review of medical parole policies and their apparent underutilisation

34 (2)

-

-

22 (2)

-

Existing transition programs should review their criteria to allow increased eligibility of older people who may not be ‘high risk’

35 (1)

19 (1)

-

-

-

Increased involvement from religious groups in the community to meet spiritual and social needs

-

-

-

-

-

Fill service gaps for women leaving prison in older age

-

-

-

-

-