Factors such as grievance procedures and reviews of inmate health care create an environment that makes it easier to provide requested health services than to deny them. As a result, inmates use health services more than private citizens. Nonetheless, inmate health care costs have risen at a slower rate than overall medical inflation and are comparable to those for private citizens. Florida's Department of Corrections has initiated several cost containment efforts that have saved about $16 million annually. Initiatives proposed by the Department of Corrections, combined with additional departmental actions, can further reduce inmate health care costs by at least $4.9 million annually. The review identifies various strategies that can be implemented to contain correctional health service costs: consolidate health services; privatize on a regional basis; improve data for effective health care cost containment; review health service guidelines; reduce secondary gains available to inmates; and streamline health services. An appendix lists advantages and disadvantages of various inmate health care policy options. 4 exhibits