NCJ Number
149192
Journal
Forum on Corrections Research Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: May 1994 Pages: 10-13
Date Published
May 1994
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Data obtained from Canada's Offender Population Profile System for the 1990-1993 period on older offenders indicate that older offenders in Canada's correctional system may require different treatment programs and specialized accommodations and that older offenders are more likely to face the prospect of living the rest of their lives in prison or under community supervision.
Abstract
The data show that about 1,100 inmates (8 percent of the institutional population) and 1,300 offenders on community supervision (13 percent of the supervision population) were 50 years of age or older in 1993. Close to half of these offenders were between 50 and 54 years of age, and an additional 25 percent were between 55 and 59 years old. The institutional population included 316 inmates (2 percent) who were at least 60 years of age, while the supervision population included about 400 offenders (4 percent) in the upper age bracket. Older offenders were more likely to be in minimum- security institutions than younger offenders. About 56 percent of inmates younger than 50 years and 59 percent of inmates between 50 and 59 years old were serving their first federal prison term. Approximately 72 percent of inmates over 60 years old were serving their first time. Younger offenders were more likely than older offenders to be released on day parole and statutory release. While only 13 percent of younger offenders were incarcerated for sexual offenses, 32 percent of inmates between 50 and 59 years old and 48 percent of inmates over 60 years old were admitted for sexual offenses. Homicide was also a more frequent offense for older offenders. During the 1990-1993 period, older offender admissions to correctional facilities increased from 233 to 323 yearly, a 39 percent increase. The number of older offenders increased faster than the number of younger offenders. High medical costs associated with institutionalized older offenders are discussed, as well as the needs of older offenders on community supervision. 3 tables and 4 figures