The number of pensioners in prisons in England and Wales has hit record levels, with 2,109 inmates aged 70 and over, according to figures reported by The Sun. This accounts for one in every 40 prisoners, more than double the 1,028 recorded in 2014.
Among the elderly inmates, there are 28 in their 90s, 456 in their 80s, and 1,625 in their 70s. The oldest prisoner is Sidney Cooke, a convicted paedophile aged 99, who is serving a life sentence.
Notorious Cases
Cooke, dubbed Britain's most notorious paedophile, is suspected of involvement in up to 20 deaths in the 1970s and 1980s. He failed in a recent parole bid, becoming the oldest prisoner to have a parole hearing. In the 1970s, Cooke led a group known as the Dirty Dozen gang, who abused young boys. In 1985, he and others gang-raped 14-year-old Jason Swift, who was later found dead.
Another high-profile elderly prisoner is Gary Glitter, 82, who is reportedly in poor health at HMP Channings Wood in Devon. Sources say he is "deaf and can barely move" and may spend his remaining days in jail.
Impact on Prisons
Campaigners say the ageing prison population is a major headache for prison bosses, who are already dealing with overcrowding, violence, staff shortages, and crumbling Victorian jails.
The Ministry of Justice stated: "It is absolutely right vile perpetrators of sexual abuse face the full force of the law and their victims receive justice — no matter how long ago the crime."
The news comes after Andy Burnham blocked the early release of rapists and child sex offenders as part of a controversial scheme to ease overcrowding. The scheme, which began in September 2024, allowed eligible prisoners to be released after serving 40% of their sentence instead of half. As of March 2026, 70,066 people had been released under the scheme.
