Ageing, Brain Health and Cognitive Impairment in Irish Prisons

^{Poster designed by anGie seah, Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health}

Prison populations worldwide are ageing, including in Ireland. Older adult prisoners experience significantly poorer health outcomes than age-matched individuals in the community, and incarceration itself is associated with accelerated biological ageing. Yet, most prisons are not designed to be age-friendly and are often ill equipped to address the complex health and care needs that arise as people age. 

The Global Brain Health Institute and Trinity School of Law will host a stakeholder discussion forum on ageing, brain health and cognitive impairment in Irish prisons:

Date & Time: Wednesday, 27 May, 2026 from 9:30am-12:00pm

Venue: Neill Lecture Theatre, Trinity Long Room Hub | View map

Event Aims

This forum will bring together key stakeholders from a wide range of backgrounds to share knowledge and experiences and to help shape future directions in research, policy, and practice. It aims to:

1. Develop a shared understanding of how ageing, brain health and cognitive impairment intersect within the prison environment;
2. Identify and synthesize existing evidence, data sources, policy initiatives and practices on ageing, brain health and cognitive impairment among prison populations; 
3. Propose an agenda for future research and policy engagement on the subject at the domestic level; and
4. Create a multidisciplinary space for ongoing dialogue and collaboration.