The study first assessed 1992 State statutes and constitutions for legally defined purposes of State-operated community-based correctional programs. Second, in several instances, the study consulted case law and attorneys' general opinions when interpretation of legislative mandates were ambiguous. Third, when five States did not specifically list statutory functions for their community-based corrections programs, the researchers relied on statutes that govern the State department of corrections. The findings suggest that State legislatures expect community-based corrections to accomplish a variety of goals¦most notably, rehabilitation, custody/supervision, reintegration, punishment, restitution, employment training, and reduction of prison crowding. Thus, the findings raise several questions for future research in the area of community-based correctional goals: what factors contribute to a State selecting a particular goal, how successful States are in meeting their intended goals, the impact multiple goals have on the success of meeting specific goals, the impact of ideologically inconsistent goals on attaining specific goals, and external factors that affect the ability of community corrections agencies to meet their legislated goals. 2 tables and 31 references