The IGAP is a joint venture of the Department of Corrections and the Alston Wilkes Society, a volunteer prisoner-aid organization. There are currently nine volunteer arbitrators in the program, who have been trained by American Arbitration Association experts who typically arbitrate labor disputes. When an inmate requests outside arbitration by a volunteer arbitrator, the arbitrator immediately holds a hearing with the inmate, appropriate officials of the inmate's facility, and witnesses for each side. The arbitrator's role is that of an impartial third party who hears all the evidence from both sides, questions witnesses, and then makes a judgment about the case. Should the arbitrator find no merit in the inmate's grievance, the arbitrator must explain the reasons in writing to the inmate. Should merit be found in the petition, the advisory opinion is submitted to the Commissioner of Corrections, who is then required to re-evaluate departmental policy or explain in writing to the inmate why the grievance cannot be addressed. Inmates indicate the IGAP has improved inmate treatment and morale, and arbitrators and corrections officials are generally favorable toward the program. The program would be improved if the commissioner would make some concession or compromise to be implemented in all meritorious grievances. 1 table and 5 references.