NCJ Number
116767
Journal
Journal of Offender Counseling, Services and Rehabilitation Volume: 13 Issue: 2 Dated: special issue (1989) Pages: 19-44
Date Published
1989
Length
26 pages
Annotation
Using data extracted from the Uniform Crime Reports for 1972 through 1981, this study examined patterns and trends in arrests for older offenders in three age groups: 55-59, 60-64, and 65 or older.
Abstract
Overall findings indicate that the percentage of all arrests that are arrests of the elderly is declining, although the elderly population is increasing rapidly. The percentage of elderly arrests for index crimes is increasing, with most of the increase in property crimes. These major trends are not contradictory nor counterdirectional. Vagrancy, public drunkenness, and loitering have been decriminalized in most jurisdictions. As these were offenses for which elderly offenders were over-represented, a considerable drop in arrests of the elderly resulted. As minor arrests have dropped, the arrests for major offenses make up an increasing percentage of all elderly arrests. The offenses of aggravated assault and larceny-theft are the major offenses for which the elderly are arrested. Overall, results show that there is no epidemic of elderly crime. Many of the elderly arrestees were in the 55-59 and 60-64 year age groups. What cannot be determined from the data is whether arrests of the elderly are for offenses not committed before, or whether the majority are simply arrests of persons who have led criminal careers and have aged into the study population. 11 figures, and 10 tables, and 18 references.