Identify and distinguish between elderly first-time offenders, habitual elderly offenders, and offender-turned-elderly-in-prison.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

It is estimated that approximately 50% of elderly inmates are first-time offenders, incarcerated when they were 60 or older. New elderly offenders frequently commit crimes of passion and do not typically view themselves as criminal, per se, but instead see their situation as unique and isolated from their primary identity. These offenders are most likely to be victimized in prison as their irascible behavior and demeanor are likely to draw the attention of younger inmates rather than providing any form of deterrence from victimization within the institutional setting. Habitual elderly offenders have a long history of crime and also have a prior record of imprisonment throughout their lifetime. These offenders are usually able to adjust well to prison life because they have been in and out of the environment throughout a substantial part of their life. These offenders often fit the mold of greyhounds within the facility and will often command a degree of respect within the prison subculture. These offenders typically have substance abuse problems and other chronic problems that make coping with life on the outside difficult. This is the group most likely to end up as geriatric inmates who die in prison. Offenders-turned-elderly in prison have grown old while incarcerated and are least likely to have discipline problems. Long-term offenders are very difficult to place upon release because they have few ties in the community and limited vocational background from which to earn a living.