NCJ Number
117616
Date Published
1988
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This research study investigated the total number of prisoners in Japanese correctional institutions as of August 1987 as a result of convicted offenses committed by persons over 60 years of age.
Abstract
Of 1,024 prisoners, including 56 females, valid responses were received from 916 males and 55 females. An inquiry sheet consisting of 43 items collected information on frequency of imprisonment and offense type. A questionnaire was used to identify prisoner perceptions. Nearly half the prisoners incarcerated for the first time (N = 134) were convicted of murder or arson. Many offenders imprisoned two to five times (N = 194) exhibited characteristics similar to offenders imprisoned one time. Prisoners imprisoned six to nine times (N = 200) possessed distinctive characteristics often shared by habitual offenders. More than half the elderly prisoners were separated from their spouses or were not married. They expressed troubles regarding such aspects of living as money, unemployment, and poor health. Regarding crime causes, respondents said they wasted their money and got mixed up with bad persons. Regarding state of mind at the time of release from previous conviction, 69 percent of recidivists said they were determined never to commit crimes again. Offense types included theft (N = 564), fraud (N = 135), murder (N = 97), and arson (N = 32).