An archival sample of female lifers was compared to a sample of female non-lifers on several important variables, including offender risk, need, and suicide risk potential. The analysis closely explored female lifers and examined what unique challenges and concerns correctional administrators and staff faced with dealing with the population. The study sample was extracted in October 1997 from the CSC's Offender Management System (OMS) and consisted of 326 female offenders. Study participants were classified as either lifers or non-lifers based on OMS information, and this process rendered a group of 59 lifers and 267 non-lifers. Female offenders were compared on need levels using the Dynamic Factors Identification and Analysis technique. Need areas were grouped into seven domains--associates and social interaction, attitudes, community functioning, employment, marital and family status, personal and emotional status, and substance abuse. Nine separate indicators were used to assess suicide risk potential. Results clearly indicated female lifers had unique case management issues compared to female non-lifers. The most important findings for the CSC were in the analyses of need and suicide risk potential. Although female lifers did not exhibit as many problems in core need areas as female non-lifers, areas involving suicide risk potential appeared to be especially important. It was determined mental health resources for female offenders should be allocated more intensively to this area and should be made available to these women upon admission to Federal custody. The authors also found programs designed to aid long-term female offenders in effectively coping with their institutional surroundings could ease their transition to prison life. 12 footnotes and 2 tables