The program's main goals are to help mentally ill inmates adjust to their confinement; maintain mentally ill inmates whose conditions cannot be stabilized in the general population, pending final disposition by the judicial system; and help mentally ill inmates in returning and adjusting to society. The program includes a system for integrating evaluation, observation, diagnosis, medication, and counseling programs. To implement this system, a mental health treatment unit uses both the principles and dynamics of direct supervision. Programs and security are integrated into one mission, and staff are carefully selected and trained. The highly structured program for inmates includes physical exercise, recreation arts and crafts, hygiene classes, training in living skills, and instruction about nutrition. Classification and evaluation is also a crucial element of the operation of the mental health unit. Agencies starting this kind of program should also consider ways to interact with community, county, and State mental health organizations, because a short-term mental health unit cannot significantly reduce recidivism by itself. Photographs.