Overall survey findings indicate that generally mentally disordered inmates are perceived less favorably than other inmates. This effect was in line with the study hypothesis and consistent with the literature reporting negative police and public perceptions of mentally ill offenders. "Mentally ill patients" were perceived more favorably than both the prisoners and mentally disordered prisoners. The combination of mental illness and criminality apparently increased officers' perceptions of mentally disordered prisoners as being more dangerous than the other groups. Ninety-five percent of the officers surveyed expressed a desire for additional training in the management of mentally disordered inmates. This motivation to learn more about such inmates suggests that correctional guards are open to attitudinal change and a more empathetic perception of the mentally disordered inmate. 2 tables, 18 references.