The first chapter discusses the context in which corrections operates, describes the punitive posture that the criminal justice system has traditionally adopted to control its population, and emphasizes how the system's policies and practices have been harmful to persons with mental illness. It cites six principles in working with offenders with mental illness: (1) They should be supervised by specially trained staff; (2) Treatment should never result in increases in punitiveness beyond that which is allowable; (3) Supervision should be based on a realistic assessment of offenders' actual risk; (4) Mental health agencies should work with corrections in a service delivery network; (5) Programs should save money in the long term; and (6) Correctional services for offenders with mental illness should always seek to maximize their potential for living and functioning effectively in the community. Essays concern the needs of the mentally ill on probation and parole and action plans to provide help; responding to persons with mental illness on community corrections supervision; working with seriously mentally ill substance abusers; people of color; juveniles; and a multisystem response to offenders with mental illness. References, tables, figures, note