The sample consisted of 175 inmates about to be released during June 1992. The sample was representative of the population of those about to be released. Of the total sample, 67 percent reported being under the influence of a drug at the time of their most serious offense. The majority of those who were convicted of assault as their most serious offense reported being under the influence of alcohol at the time of their most serious offense, as did those who committed driving offenses. Sixty-six percent of the sample believed there was a relationship between their drug use and subsequent imprisonment. Drugs used by the sample most often (weekly or more often) prior to imprisonment were tobacco, followed by alcohol, cannabis, and heroin. Twenty-three percent of the male sample reported drinking daily prior to imprisonment, and over half of this group drank at heavy to very heavy levels, i.e., more than eight standard drinks daily. Of the total sample, 74 percent reported having problems due to their use of drugs. Sixty-two percent of the sample had attempted to control their use of drugs either informally (self-help, help from family/friends) or formally (treatment) prior to current imprisonment. Recommendations based on the findings include screening to identify alcohol/drug users at reception, inmate classification for matching to treatment options, and centralized storage of screening information that shows the drug use and criminal behavior of offenders. 25 tables, the survey instrument, and 25 references