The report highlights the problems and special needs of older offenders that set them apart from their younger adult counterparts. It examines the rapid growth in the numbers of older offenders in correctional institutions through comparisons of their populations in 1993 and 1996, and the distribution of incarcerated older offenders by region and the institution with the highest number of older offenders in each region. It also analyzes offender needs, risk, and the combined risk and needs of older and younger offenders in community settings. The critical needs of older offenders include medical care services, adjustment to imprisonment, programming, prison environment and violence, peer relationships, family relationships, and parole concerns. The report includes personal characteristics of older offenders, risk management, offense severity, and suicide risk potential. In addition, it presents community risk and needs management data. Tables, notes, bibliography