This chapter considers ageing – in prison and in general – from the perspective of the women I interviewed. The women described ageing as influencing various forms of acceptance.

In fact, the older women I interviewed initiated very little discussion about ageing in prison. Many of them mentioned their age or talked about getting older only when asked a direct question. Several of my prompts directed older participants to consider the influence, if any, age had on their incarceration experience (for example, Would you talk to me about older and younger inmates?). However, only a few of the women voluntarily discussed their age as a causal factor in any change in behaviour or perspective. They more often attributed their reform to the adoption or strengthening of religious belief. Fourteen of the women I interviewed mentioned religiosity or spirituality. Anna, who was 53 and in prison for the third time, referred to God 22 times. While most of my participants, like Anna, relegated earlier indiscretions to the time of their youth, they did not necessarily mark the change as age related.

Kay, serving time for a parole violation, was dubious, saying, “the older, the wiser? I don't know. I’m back at 51.”

Whereas older participants did not necessarily talk about wisdom, I was nonetheless struck by their astute methods of coping and surviving behind bars, and the sources of hope they discovered with time. The women's statements about surviving create a more nuanced, and gendered, picture of Clemmer's (1940) ‘prisonization’ and related studies. What they needed to survive – physical and mental challenges – was striking.

Difficulties associated with physical health

The older women in this study reported a multitude of ailments such as high blood pressure, diabetes, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis, to name only a few. For example, Jane, aged 55, stated that she suffered from lupus, deteriorating discs, rheumatoid arthritis, and a knee that “gives out on her”. She reported, “I don't sleep as well. I need more pillows and the mattress is bad.” Dalia is 45 and uses a Zimmer/walking frame. She listed her medical conditions as rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative disc disease in her back, heel spurs on both feet, heart disease, nerve damage, borderline diabetes, and hypertension. She has had multiple hip and back surgeries, and knee replacements.