LAW REQUIRES THAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF ALL INMATES, INCLUDING ELDERLY OFFENDERS, BE COMPARABLE TO OUTSIDE LIVING CONDITIONS AND THAT DAMAGE DUE TO IMPRISONMENT BE AVOIDED. PREPARATIONS FOR RELEASE ARE ALSO ESSENTIAL. FOR INSTANCE, THE FINANCIAL STATUS OF INMATES CAN BE INVESTIGATED AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE ARRANGED WHILE ELDERLY INMATES ARE STILL IN PRISON. APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE FILED FOR AID TO THE HANDICAPPED OR BLIND, FOR RENT AND INSURANCE SUPPORT, FOR HEALTH AND PENSION INSURANCE, AND FOR DISABILITY PAYMENTS, GUARDIANSHIPS MAY BECOME NECESSARY BECAUSE OF THE PHYSICAL OR MENTAL STATE OF CERTAIN INMATES. FOR ELDERLY INMATES WHO NEED CARE AND ARE WITHOUT FAMILY, OUTSIDE CONTACTS MUST BE ESTABLISHED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO ASSURE SUITABLE PLACEMENT OF THE EX-OFFENDER IN A HOME. SOCIAL SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED IF NO PENSION, UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION, OR OTHER FORM OF SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE TO THE ELDERLY INMATE. SPECIAL COUNSELING IS SOMETIMES PROVIDED BY CONVICTED OFFENDER ASSISTANCE ORGANIZATIONS TO AID IN SECURING FINANCIAL MEANS, A PLACE TO LIVE, EMPLOYMENT, AND SOCIAL THERAPY. VOLUNTEERS CAN BE OF ASSISTANCE IN ESCORTING AGED PRISONERS AS WELL AS IN OTHER TASKS. ALTHOUGH THE OVERLAPPING LEGAL REGULATIONS AND AGENCIES RELEVANT TO OLD-AGE BENEFITS ARE CONFUSING, EFFORTS MUST BE MADE BY PRISON SOCIAL WORKERS TO BRAVE THE MAZE AND TO FIND HELP FOR ELDERLY EX-OFFENDERS. --IN GERMAN. (KMD)