The 294-percent corrections aid increase from 1980 to 1987 far outstrips the growth of related spending categories during the period. Nonetheless, corrections aid represents less than 1 percent of total State aid to local governments. Total State spending for corrections reached $11.7 billion in 1987, and aid to local governments was 8 percent of total State corrections expenditures. Local governments spent $5.9 billion on corrections in 1987, and State aid covered 15.7 percent of local outlays. In four States, per capita spending on corrections exceeded $100 (Alaska, Nevada, New York, and California). In eight States, the State accounted directly for at least 90 percent of corrections spending. The number of States providing no corrections aid fell from 22 in 1983 to 19 in 1987. The 10 States with the largest aid outlays were California, Virginia, New York, Texas, Tennessee, New Jersey, Ohio, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Illinois. These States accounted for 85 percent of the total aid reported. Aid went for institutions, probation and parole, and other areas of corrections. A State-by-State analysis of corrections aid is presented along with a framework for analyzing intergovernmental corrections aid. Innovative corrections programs in Georgia, Minnesota, Tennessee, and Virginia are described. An appendix gives statistics on State corrections spending and aid for fiscal year 1987. 4 references and 7 tables