RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Dementia in prison: ethical and legal implications
JF Journal of Medical Ethics
JO J Med Ethics
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics
SP 156
OP 159
DO 10.1136/jme.28.3.156
VO 28
IS 3
A1 S Fazel
A1 J McMillan
A1 I O'Donnell
YR 2002
UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/28/3/156.abstract
AB As the number of elderly prisoners increases in the UK and other Western countries, there will be individuals who develop dementia whilst in custody. We present two case vignettes of men with dementia in English prisons, and explore some of the ethical implications that their continuing detention raises. We find little to support their detention in the various purposes of prison put forward by legal philosophers and penologists, and conclude by raising some of the possible implications of The Human Rights Act 1998.