FROM THE OUTSIDE IN - USING PUBLIC-HEALTH DATA TO MAKE INFERENCES ABOUT OLDER INMATES

The recent confinement binge has led to the ''graying'' of American pr isons. Longer sentences equate to mere offenders growing old behind ba rs. This article explores the health conditions among noninstitutional ized elders to make inferences about those in prison Analysis of Natio nal Health Interview Survey data found that persons who resembled the incarcerated population reported poorer health, had higher numbers of activity limitations, had increased bed days and doctor visits, and re ported faster declines in health conditions than their mostly Angle co unterparts. The authors discuss the implications of these findings for prison managers.