Ageing, Brain Health and Cognitive Impairment in Irish Prisons
Event Details
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 hosted 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 brought 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:
- Develop a shared understanding of how ageing, brain health and cognitive impairment intersect within the prison environment;
- Identify and synthesize existing evidence, data sources, policy initiatives and practices on ageing, brain health and cognitive impairment among prison populations;
- Propose an agenda for future research and policy engagement on the subject at the domestic level; and
- Create a multidisciplinary space for ongoing dialogue and collaboration.
Post Event Resources
Additional resources related to the Brain Health, Ageing & Dementia in Prisons forum are available below:
- Discussion Forum Final Report
- What we can learn and what we must do — presentation by Brian Lawlor, GBHI Founding Director, Trinity College
Contact
Please contact Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health at Kimberley.Benjamin@tcd.ie if you have any queries or are interested in collaborating in this area.
