The survey found that strategic planning is a management tool used by the vast majority of State correctional agencies. Also, correctional agencies have developed the capability to conduct research and planning within the agency. Three-fourths of the agencies had research and planning units; and more than half used performance-based budgeting or were moving in that direction. Very few, however, had developed performance indicators. Three-fourths had used strategic planning, with about half reporting the production of a usable plan. There was little consensus, however, regarding what constituted strategic planning or the model of planning used. Given the latter finding, it might be helpful for an organization, such as the American Correctional Association or the National Institute of Corrections, to develop a model specifically tailored for State correctional agencies. This would assist agencies in managing common problems and providing comparative data on performance. It is clear from the survey that strategic planning is a useful tool for guiding the future of correctional agencies. Fifty agencies responded to the survey. 4 tables and 12 references