Aging and the Criminal Legal System

This book examines issues specific to older adults within the criminal legal system.

As the population of older adults continues to grow, so does the need to address the unique legal and psychological challenges related to this demographic. This book brings the latest behavioral science research to bear in examining the issues specific to the developmental aging process and older adults across the criminal legal system as a whole. Topics covered include:

• stereotypes and misconceptions about older age
• prevention and intervention with older populations at various intercepts of the legal system
• older adults as victims of, eyewitnesses to, or perpetrators of crime
• assessing older adults in the court system and in correctional facilities
• issues in sentencing
• reentry into the community, and
• conducting research with older adults within the criminal legal system.

This timely volume presents a call to researchers and scholars across disciplines (law, psychology, gerontology, sociology, social work, and related fields) to work together to improve understanding of, treatment for, and care for this population.