Section 5  Probation/parole Supervision

1 Changes in the number of elderly offenders

  The percent ratio of elderly parolees/probationers to total parolees/probationers (elderly rate) has a gradually increasing trend over the 20 years. The number of elderly parolees increased by about 5.3 times while the number of probationers increased by about 4.4 times over the same period (see Fig. 7-2-5-1). The total elderly population increased by almost 2 times (if the elderly population in 1988 is set to a benchmark of 100, then the elderly population in 2007 is 199.2; see Fig. 7-1-13) during the same period. Hence the rate of increase in number of parolees/probationers is significantly higher than that of the total elderly population.

Fig. 7-2-5-1  Percent distribution of newly received parolees/probationers by age group (1988–2007)

  By sex (data by sex is only available for after 1990), although the number itself is small, the rate of increase in the number of parolees and probationers is both significantly higher for females than males (see Fig. 7-2-5-2). By age group, the percent ratio of those aged 70 or older has been increasing since around 2004. The rate of increase is remarkable with females in particular.

Fig. 7-2-5-2  Number of newly received elderly parolees/probationers (1990–2007)