NCJ Number
79193
Journal
American Journal of Psychiatry Volume: 138 Issue: 9 Dated: (September 1981) Pages: 1225-1228
Date Published
1981
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Findings and implications are presented from a study that examined the differences between midlife female offenders and those younger than 40 years old.
Abstract
A total of 66 women offenders were referred for forensic evaluation and classified into 2 age groups; 48 women 17-39 years old composed a young adult group, and 18 women 40-54 years old composed a midlife group. The midlife group included a significantly larger number of first-time offenders with a higher frequency of medical as well as psychiatric disorders. None of the women in the midlife group were diagnosed as having antisocial personality disorder, but this was the most common diagnosis among the younger women. Overall findings of the study support the view that female offenders do not constitute a single entity but represent two relatively distinct groups with age-specific factors contributing to criminality; therefore, the groups should be managed differently. The prevalence of medical and psychiatric disorders among the midlife offenders, a particularly vulnerable group, suggests they should be given special consideration from the courts and psychiatrists. First-time midlife offenders should be given a thorough physical and psychiatric evaluation, with special effort given to identifying alcoholism and depression. Since midlife offenders are generally not persistent offenders and do not pose a serious threat to society, they should be cared for in open or minimum security prisons, with appropriate medical and psychiatric interventions provided. Tabular data and 14 references are provided. (Author abstract modified)