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Many prisons in Switzerland are ill-equipped to cater for elderly inmates. Protection from fellow inmates is also a problem. <\/p>\n
Keystone \/ Peter Schneider <\/p>\n
Although prisoners over 60 make up just 6% of Switzerland’s prison population, they are the fastest-growing age group. This creates new challenges for prisons, including how to protect older inmates from other prisoners.\n<\/p>\n
This content was published on <\/p>\n
May 5, 2026 – 09:00\n<\/p>\n
Georges* was over 70 years old when he was imprisoned in Champ-Dollon and later in La Brenaz in Geneva. He stayed there for over a year. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou are exposed to a hierarchy that is established in these prisons,\u201d he told Mise au Point, a news and current affairs programme on Swiss public television RTS. \u201cThere\u2019s a gang with a boss, and he sets the tone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Georges witnessed a gang rape of another inmate in the prison showers. \u201cThe guard had locked the doors because an alarm had gone off,\u201d he recalls. \u201cIn the end, the boss came to me and said: \u2018Lucky for you, you\u2019re too old for this kind of thing. But don\u2019t tell anyone about it, otherwise you won\u2019t live much longer\u2019. That was a terrible shock for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Georges was also the victim of a blackmail attempt. A fellow inmate threatened to harm him and his family if he didn\u2019t pay CHF4,000 ($5,069) a month.<\/p>\n
Caring for elderly prisoners: a growing challenge<\/p>\n
Harassment or threats are the main risks for older inmates. But providing the necessary care can also be complicated.<\/p>\n
Prison accelerates the ageing process. In Switzerland, a 60\u2011year\u2011old inmate typically shows the same physical and psychological decline as a 70\u2011year\u2011old living outside prison.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese people generally have weak or negative socio-economic conditions,\u201d explains Hans Wolff, president of the Swiss Conference of Prison Doctors.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are more likely to suffer from addictions or infectious diseases and are ten times more likely to be affected by mental illness.\u201d<\/p>\n
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More <\/p>\n
Demographics\n <\/p>\n
Growing old in Switzerland <\/p>\n
The living conditions and infrastructure for older people in Switzerland are good, including the social and pension system. However, the latter is coming under increasing pressure: while life expectancy has risen significantly in recent decades, there have only been minor changes in the retirement age. <\/p>\n