NCJ Number
94551
Date Published
1984
Length
15 pages
Annotation
Public pressure has resulted in an increase of arrests for drunken driving, shoplifting, and family violence, three crimes in which elderly criminals have a higher representation. The result is that police, having less discretion to divert at the arrest stage, must bring elderly offenders into custody even when good judgment would rule this out.
Abstract
The public in demanding more rigorous and required criminal justice system reactions to these crimes, did not intend to be unsympathetic to the elderly offender, but that is sometimes the result. Police are put in a dilemma since an image of harshness toward the elderly is also abhorrent to the public. Most police are not trained in dealing with elderly offenders, and jails can be traumatic for the elderly in their frail state. Police need to come to terms with this complex situation, and learn to deal with elderly offenders who can sometimes be senile, fearful, and aggressive. Perhaps alternatives to jailing, such as diversion strategies aimed at juveniles, could be developed.