Chapter 2: Elder People's Criminality: Analysing Patterns of Offending in Poland

The analysis of criminality among older offenders is particularly important in the context of the changing age structure of Polish society. The share of older people among the inhabitants of Poland is increasing (from 10% in the 1990s to 17% in 2017), and this trend – as shown in the official statistical data – will remain consistent. It is estimated that by 2050, 33% of Polish society will be over 65 years of age. Doubtless this change will influence crime patterns – in particular the age of offenders and the crime structures. It is already visible in the statistics that within the population of convicted persons, the share of people aged 60+ has been increasing for several years (from 3.1% in 2007 to 4.8% in 2017). But the criminality of the older offenders differs from general crime patterns. Driving while intoxicated is the most common reason for convicting a person above 60.

The aim of this chapter is to present the spectrum of crimes committed by older offenders in Poland. The analysis was based on the findings from the field research conducted by the author. The research covered in-depth analysis of the data retrieved from 353 criminal court cases when the convicted perpetrator was at least 60 years of age at the time of offending. The data was used to analyse patterns of offending in older age, the types of crimes committed by older perpetrators and their circumstances, and the portrait of the victims of those offences. In addition, the author focused on the problem of appearance of offending in the life course of older offenders.