Twenty years ago prisons and jails ran largely according to the desires and capabilities of the warden or sheriff. The courts began to become involved in corrections because serious problems existed in the way that institutions were run and because corrections officials had either no power or no intention to make changes. The efforts over the past 20 years have resulted in a situation in which many problems have been corrected. In addition, the conservative judiciary appointed by President Reagan is moving away from massive intervention in corrections. Thus, in its last two terms, the United States Supreme Court has withdrawn from fundamental rights issues, procedural rights issues, and socialworker rights issues. As a result, inmates will still sue, but they will win fewer cases and legal action in some States will shift from Federal court to State courts. In addition, some agencies may cease to hold voluntarily to sound management, operational, and correctional practices. Reference notes.