Most of the audits used the first edition of the NSA Jail Audit Manual. For each guideline, percentage figures were used to calculate the degree of compliance with the guidelines. Jails were grouped into four size categories. Results showed that the majority of the jails need improvement. Their best performance was in records, followed by medical and health care, although only 14 jails met the standards of the Commission on Accreditation for Corrections standards in this area. Major weaknesses were in armory plans, release preparation, fire plans, riot plans, key controls, security inspections, the handling of special inmates needing special management, and escape plans. The low scores usually resulted from a lack of written policies and procedures, which are required for 75 percent of the areas. Thus, many low-scoring jails may have been doing a passable job in these areas. However, improvements are needed, particularly in life safety issues.