AGING IN PRISON - A CASE-STUDY OF NEW ELDERLY OFFENDERS

This exploratory study focuses on the experience of aging in prison am ong those classified as the new elderly offenders. Using a case study approach, in-depth interviews were conducted in the summer of 1992 at a maximum-security reception center in the Southeast. The sample consi sted of 25 new elderly offenders, with a mean age of 68 years. Major v ariables assessed in the study include personal background and family life, criminal activities, physical health, and strategies for coping with prison life. It was found that the new elderly offender's initial reaction to incarceration later in life was often characterized by fa mily conflict, depression, thoughts of suicide, and a fear of dying in prison. Findings from this research present evidence that prison prog rams should be expanded to accommodate the needs of this older offende r subgroup.