Crime and the Elderly - A Construction of Official Rules (From Elderly - Victims and Deviants, P 177-190, 1987, Carl D Chambers, et al, eds. - See NCJ-105603)

• NCJ Number: 105607
• Author(s): J A Inciardi
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 14 pages
• Sale Source: Ohio University Press
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Based on Uniform Crime Reports arrest data for 1964-82 Part I and Part II offenses, this study examines arrest rates for elderly persons (60 and over) in the aggregate and for specific offenses.

Abstract

Although the arrest rate for the Nation increased dramatically over the study period, the rate for the elderly population decreased by 33.3 percent, largely due to declining arrest rates for such offenses as gambling, drunkenness, and vagrancy. The national arrest rate for property crimes increased by 117 percent over the study period, but the arrest rate for elderly persons increased by 261 percent, probably due to increases in such petty larcenies as shoplifting. The national arrest rate for violent crimes over the study period increased by 167 percent, and for the elderly it increased 76 percent, with more than four-fifths of the arrests of the elderly being for aggravated assault. The increased activity and social interactions of the elderly may explain this increase. Arrests for driving under the influence increased dramatically for the elderly from 38.9 percent to 117.8 percent. This is likely due to better health among the elderly that permits driving for longer periods and improved medical treatment for alcohol-related diseases that keeps problem drinkers on the highways longer. This increase in the number of elderly defendants and offenders presents problems for criminal justice decisionmakers. Current trends are likely to continue. 5 tables and 9 references.