It analyzes the statutory bases of the rights of mentally retarded offenders, including (1) the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975; (2) Title V, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; (3) implementing regulations; and (4) representative State statutes. Analysis of case law interpreting the constitutional and statutory authorities is also included. Finally, the article describes correctional programs that have been developed in different jurisdictions for mentally retarded offenders and summarizes the critical elements of those programs. 162 notes. (Publisher abstract)