NCJ Number
111959
Journal
British Journal of Psychiatry Volume: 152 Dated: (1988) Pages: 340-346
Date Published
1988
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Among custodially remanded male prisoners from Greater London and its surrounds, in 1979-1980, nearly 3 percent (63 men) were aged 55 or over, about one-third of these being over 65.
Abstract
More than 40 percent were detained on theft charges and few for more serious offenses, although serious violence was not unknown and nearly one-fifth of those 65 or over were subsequently convicted of nonviolent sexual assaults. Like their younger counterparts, less than one-fifth of those aged 55 or over appeared to be first-time offenders. About half of the men of 55 or over had active symptoms of psychiatric disorder on entering the prison and about half had some form of physical disorder, twice the rate for those under 55. Psychosis and alcoholism were the major psychiatric problems; 27 percent were alcoholics, to the extent of showing withdrawal symptoms on or soon after entering prison. Schizophrenia was less common than the younger age groups, but effective psychosis more so; 37 percent of the older men had a major functional psychosis. Two-thirds of the 55 to 64 age group and over three-quarters of the over 65's were without an address; most of both groups were personally isolated. (Author abstract)