Legal standards for substance abuse treatment in correctional settings mandate the provision of standardized screening of substance abuse problems for all inmates, treatment for withdrawal symptoms and other acute health-related consequences of addiction, and accurate records of all substance abuse treatment services. Recent Federal initiatives in the development of professional standards have outlined critical elements of a correctional service delivery system. These focus on comprehensive assessment, a coordinated system of screening and referral, and transition planning prior to release from custody. An essential element of jail and prison programs is the continuity of treatment and supervision following release to the community. A wide array of substance abuse treatment approaches have been implemented in jails and prisons. These range from small, specialized therapeutic communities for inmates with lengthy criminal justice and substance abuse histories, to integrated multitiered systems that provide a continuum of educational, therapeutic, and re-entry services. Several model demonstration programs developed by Federal agencies provide an opportunity to identify effective treatment approaches and to share innovative new approaches with other correctional programs. Further survey research is required to define the scope of jail initiatives and to identify characteristics of effective programs and innovative strategies for working with special populations. 65 notes