ABSTRACT
As the numbers of elderly increase, a corresponding increase in the amount of elderly crime has been observed by various researchers. Because crime committed by the elderly is often unreported or is handled differently compared with offenses committed by younger persons, estimates of the actual amount of elderly crime have varied considerably from one year to the next. Elderly offenders pose particularly difficult problems for police, prosecutors, judges, and corrections officials. First, much of the crime committed by the elderly is nonviolent crime, although violent crimes by the elderly are increasing rather dramatically. Special diets, special housing, and special medical treatments are often beyond the normal capabilities of most jail and prison facilities. Confining an elderly offender for any prolonged period taxes most jail and prison systems. Much of the research on sentencing severity has focused on the influence of variables such as gender, race or ethnic affiliation, and socioeconomic status.
