The study sample included 47 inmates in Ohio prisons who were identified by prison mental health staff as being mentally ill, were within 2 months of discharge, and were willing to be interviewed. These inmates were given independent psychological evaluations and were interviewed about their preparations for release and plans after release shortly before their release from prison. Of the 47 original subjects, 27 were interviewed at least once after release from prison about many dimensions of social adjustment. They were then interviewed repeatedly, once a week for the first 2 months and once a month for another 10 months, during the first year after their release from prison. The extent of social support, provided in and after release from prison, was associated with higher quality of life. The extent of social support was not significantly related to the prevalence of psychiatric hospitalization after release or to the prevalence of criminal recidivism after release. 32 references, 7 tables, and 2 figures