The aged offender: a review of the literature and two current studies from the New York State Division of Parole.

Abstract

AbstractA review of the literature on criminality among the aged discloses a paucity of research in this important area. The few studies reported have focused on offenses associated with the psychological or psychopathological aspects of aging. Since there are scarcely any data on older men with a history of chronic delinquency, the present study was designed to meet this deficiency. It involved an investigation of offenders chronologically aged beyond 60 years, but whose crimes were committed in various periods of their lives, some even in childhood or adolescence.The sample consisted of 36 males drawn at random from the population of aged parolees in the New York State Division of Parole. Data were chiefly obtained by means of a social‐data form developed by the writers and completed by the parole officers of the aged parolees. This form elicited information about personal identifying data, family history, criminal background and present life adjustment. A psychiatric examination also was made in half the cases. The findings led to the following conclusions: These aged parolees do not appear to be especially influenced by any religious, ethnic or familial factors. As a group they are relatively active, self‐supporting, and fairly well adjusted to their work and parole. Pathological disturbances are not as common or as severe as in Hay's study of elderly offenders drawn from a Mental Hygiene Unit population. The basic loneliness of aged offenders was strongly confirmed in regard to marital status (most had no spouse) and living arrangements. A subsidiary study of men who had committed less than three offenses showed a tendency to better mental health and a greater likelihood of marriage and employment as compared with men who had committed more than three offenses.