Chapter 1 provides an introduction and overview of the issues facing older women in prison. Chapter 2 explores the relationships among aging, identity, and adjustment to prison life for women who come into the system marginalized at best, and how prison produces significantly different experiences for older female offenders, including issues of self-esteem, identity management, and social relationships with others. Chapter 3 provides an extensive overview of the mental and physical health concerns and issues confronting older female offenders, including issues related to health policy, health care utilization, and costs of providing health care to an aging prison population. Chapter 4 documents the importance of maintaining family relationships for both prisoners and their families, and examines the numerous barriers identified that frequently interfere with this desired outcome. Chapter 5 focuses on building a life in prison and the importance of various prison activities that serve to provide aging prisoners with a home away from home and provides important policy implications, especially in responding to the everyday needs of women who will remain in prison indefinitely. Chapter 6 explores a range of abuse and battering experiences found among this group and documents not only the patterns of abusive behaviors, but also the frequent reluctance of family or authorities to come to their assistance. Chapter 7 provides an intimate look into the life of one long-term inmate who is serving a 166-year conviction. Chapter 8 reviews some of the major concerns of older inmates as they consider reentry back into the free world. It includes important policy implications provided in the discussion of the apprehension inmates feel due to lack of preparation and training for a successful career, especially for those who are now old and have been isolated in prison for decades. Tables, references, and index