ABSTRACT
The needs of the elderly in terms of health care, life cycle roles, friendships, and security are similar regardless of where these older people may find themselves. In prison environments, many of these needs are left inadequately fulfilled as the elderly prisoner finds himself a member of the forgotten minority. Many elderly persons have chronic health problems requiring special and ongoing pharmacy services, special diets, and more supportive environments. When one examines the typical prison management and environmental systems the mismatch between the systems and the needs of the elderly inmate is vividly evident. It is interesting to note that of all the men housed in the Ionia facility who were over 50 years of age, 51% of them were in prison for the first time in Michigan. Of all the men over 50 years of age 72% of them had been in prison less than 5 years.
