The author presents strategies that will help jail administrators implement a mission-based management system in which measurable goals are established and risks are properly assessed and minimized. The first element of an effectively run jail is the development of a mission statement that is specific enough to establish measurable goals. Once the mission statement, goals, and expected outcomes are in place, jail administrators must be able to assess incoming inmates for their level of risk and their level of need. This type of inmate risk assessment is referred to as outcome-based inmate classification (OBIC). OBIC helps administrators justify the financial resources necessary to properly house, supervise, and care for inmates while managing risk to the public and inmates. The author describes how to assess risk and properly classify offenders each time an offender enters custody or is moved within or outside the facility. Assessing the needs of inmates is also crucial to the proper management of a jail. The types of inmate needs that must be assessed include medical care and mental health care. The author outlines how to assess inmates’ needs and provide for their care. Once a system of assessing risk and needs is in place, a system for tracking measurably outcomes will continue to guide the proper administration of jails and will provide for clear justification of resource allocation and need.