NCJ Number
163398
Journal
Journal of the Oklahoma Criminal Justice Research Consortium Volume: 2 Dated: (August 1995) Pages: 72-79
Date Published
1995
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The data presented and analyzed in this article confirm the increase of the 50-and-older prison population in Oklahoma from 1980 through mid-1994; recommendations for addressing this trend are outlined.
Abstract
This report presents data by age and study year, race and sex, admission age, sentence, and offense. The increases were greatest among those from the baby boom birth cohort incarcerated in the 30-39 and 40-49 age ranges. Although numbers of African- Americans and Native Americans grew, their percentages of the total 50-and-over population declined as Hispanic and predominantly white numbers and percentages increased. Percentages of males and females 50 and over remained relatively constant over the time period. The percentages of inmates 50 and older being sentenced to longer terms also grew between 1980-1994. As for offenses, misdemeanors such as drunk driving, controlled substance use, and sex offenses went from lowest to highest in number compared to violent and property offenses. All, however, showed dramatic numerical and percentage increases in the period. Recommendations for addressing these trends are from Edith Flynn's national review of prison populations. Among her recommendations are that baseline data on the elderly offender be developed and maintained to facilitate needs assessment, legal compliance, and planning. Another recommendation is to modify existing classification systems to facilitate mainstreaming of the elderly if consistent with their physical and mental health needs. Nine other recommendations are outlined. 6 tables and 9 references