This article explores the increase in the number of older people on probation caseloads. ‘Older’ clients are defined as those aged 50 and over, in line with the use of this definition by Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service. Drawing upon a Freedom of Information request submitted to the Ministry of Justice, the data show increases in the age of probation clients across community orders, suspended sentences, and supervision on licence. One in five residents in Approved Premises are over 50. Despite the increase, there is a dearth of research relating to the needs of older people on probation and how well probation services and staff are equipped to meet their needs. Consequently, this article utilises research relating to older prisoners, drawing inferences to probation experiences. This prompts the question of whether probation is ‘institutionally thoughtless’, a term coined relating to the daily experiences of older prisoners. This article depicts findings from qualitative interviews with older prisoners in prison for the first time. The findings highlight ambivalence towards completing accredited programmes, which may be applicable to probation settings. This article concludes that action to tackle discrimination requires a commitment to justice, self-awareness, and knowledge via policy and practice.

中文翻译：

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制度上的疏忽和年长的缓刑客户的需求

本文探讨了缓刑案件中老年人数量的增加。“老年”客户被定义为 50 岁及以上的人，与女王陛下监狱和缓刑服务处对这一定义的使用一致。根据提交给司法部的信息自由请求，数据显示社区命令、缓刑和执照监督的缓刑客户年龄有所增加。五分之一的获准住所的居民超过 50 岁。尽管有所增加，但关于缓刑老年人的需求以及缓刑服务和工作人员的装备如何满足他们的需求的研究很少。因此，本文利用与老年囚犯相关的研究，对缓刑经历进行推论。这引发了一个问题，即缓刑是否是“制度上的轻率”，这是一个与年长囚犯的日常经历有关的术语。本文首次描述了对监狱中年长囚犯的定性访谈结果。调查结果突出了对完成可能适用于缓​​刑环境的认可课程的矛盾心理。本文的结论是，解决歧视的行动需要通过政策和实践对正义、自我意识和知识做出承诺。