Section 2  Measures According to the Characteristics of Elderly Offenders

1 Responding to various types of elderly offenders

  As described above, elderly offenders can be categorized into two groups; a group consisting of those who had been repeating offenses since young and became elderly and those with previous convictions who are difficult to be rehabilitated, and a group of those who had committed offenses for the first time at an elderly age. Their high criminal tendencies are the major problem in the former group. Hence it is not a problem specific to elderly but a problem that needs tackling at the stage before they become elderly. As shown in Fig. 7-2-1-3 in Chapter 2, not only the offenses committed by elderly but also the offenses committed by those of the age group of 50 to 64 are increasing at higher rate than the growth in total population. Hence measures against elderly offenders should start with measures against recidivism for those at young or prime ages.
  The special research revealed that as the criminal tendencies of elderly offenders progress, the ratio of those having financial problems and living problems also rises. The trends of elderly inmates described in Chapter 4, Section 1 and the elderly probationers/parolees described in Chapter 4, Section 2 suggest similar problems. In addition, analysis of “elderly theft offenders”, “elderly injury/assault offenders”, and “elderly homicide offenders” showed slightly different trends in their problems. For instance, for elderly theft offenders unable to break their habitual criminal tendencies since young or prime ages who have been homeless or had no stable residences and repeating shoplifting of small amounts of foods, etc., not only providing living guidance but also coordination of living basis after their release needs to be considered in their measures. For elderly injury/assault offenders, considering their reintegration into society in the future, attention must be paid to avoid them getting into trouble with neighbors by arranging a restoration of their relationship with others. Since “exhaustion from nursing care” is the common cause for elderly female homicide offenders, consideration by the persons around them not to overlook such presage is needed. As shown above, the issues with treatment, etc. of elderly offenders vary.
  Hence it will be discussed below individually by type of offense.