Japan's old age prisoners

The view of a typical cell inhabited by one elderly prisoner, complete with tatami mat flooring, TV, futon to sleep on, sink and toilet Photograph: Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert/freelance

In a cell shared by seven prisoners, the folded futon and bedding for three of them sits neatly beside black cases in which they can store their personal belongings during the day Photograph: Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert/freelance

Medical prescription notes, and special dietary requirements, marked on the door of cell. As Japanese society rapidly ages, the country is now having to deal with a sharp rise in the number of criminals from the pensioner age group. Over 65s now count for the fastest growing age group of inmates Photograph: Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert/freelance

A prison warder inspects the communal bath and shower area Photograph: Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert/freelance

Elderly prisoners (in green) clean the corridor outside their cells Photograph: Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert/freelance

Following a roll call of names, elderly prisoners - one pushing a stroller chair for stability - make their way to lunch Photograph: Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert/freelance

Lunch for the elderly prison inmates. Many of the prisoners suffer from high blood pressure and diabetes, with 70-80% of them receiving medication Photograph: Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert/freelance

A prison warder makes his way through the fenced and grilled walkways connecting buildings Photograph: Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert/freelance

An elderly prisoner exercising on a rowing machine in an indoor recreational room, watched over by guards Photograph: Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert/freelance

A prisoner brings a pet turtle from its tank into a walled recreation area Photograph: Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert/freelance

Prisoners sit silently at work making small products for client companies. The inmates undertake 6 hours a day of light work. The enforced silence is to deter the communication between inmates and the forming of gangs, and to let prisoners sit silently with the possibility to reflect on their crimes and subsequent punishment Photograph: Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert/freelance

A view of the exterior wall of the prison from a window on the recreational ground Photograph: Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert/freelance