Final answer:
Financial abuse, neglect, and emotional abuse are the main types of criminal behavior among people aged 55 or older, can be attributed to tough-on-crime reforms from the 1980s and 1990s and the aging of the overall population and also influenced by wider social issues and demographic changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Financial abuse, neglect, and emotional abuse account for the majority of criminal behavior of people 55 or older. These elements often stem from broader social issues such as income inequality, lack of opportunity, and poverty which contribute to criminal actions. Additionally, demographic changes, such as the aging Baby Boom generation and increases in life expectancies, have led to a shift in the prevalent age groups within the prison population, affecting the nature of crimes associated with the elderly.
Understanding these factors is vital in addressing the intricacies of elder crime. It also encourages a broader examination of the circumstances leading to the incarceration of older individuals, many of whom may have been impacted by the tough-on-crime policies of the 1980s and 1990s. It is imperative to consider not only the specific forms of elder abuse but also the societal constructs that foster such behaviors if we are to take meaningful steps in reducing the occurrence of crimes by and against the elderly population.