MEMBERS of the public already paying thousands of pounds for relatives in private care homes could be left fuming at plans to set up special "nursing home jails" for elderly inmates, a Dorset MP has warned.

Although support is growing locally for the plans in principle, Annette Brooke believes the terminology of "nursing home jails" could create an inaccurate vision of a cushy lifestyle for the country's 1,200 elderly inmates.

The Prison Reform Trust is adamant that existing prison accommodation for the over-60s is severely lacking and their specific health needs are not being met.

There are three times the number of elderly prisoners than a decade ago in a system already bursting at the seams with inmates, and the prison trust believes the answer could be American-style nursing home prisons.

MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, Mrs Brooke, said: "What we need is a complete overhaul of the existing prison service to cater for the growing inmate population of all ages including youngsters and the elderly.

"If we are building more prisons then we should also be including units for elderly people. The existing prison health service is also inadequate and is already stretched when trying to meet the requirements of elderly inmates.

"I would have to ask the validity of putting elderly people into prison in the first place, except where they have been convicted of serious or violent crimes. Where there's no choice but a prison sentence they should have the appropriate accommodation.

"Yet there may be a negative public perception by calling them 'nursing home jails', because many families are having problems meeting private care home bills."

John Cherrett, vice chairman of the Wessex Pensioners Association, said: "Anything for the elderly, wherever they are, has to be good.

"Elderly inmates have specific health and social needs that are entirely different to their younger colleagues behind bars. So we support the plan in principle."