THE CORE OF WISCONSIN'S MUTUAL AGREEMENT PROGRAM (MAP) IS A CONTRACT IN WHICH THE INMATE AGREES TO FULFILL CERTAIN BEHAVIORAL OBJECTIVES, SUCH AS COMPLETING A PARTICULAR VOCATIONAL PROGRAM, IN RETURN FOR A GUARANTEED RELEASE DATE AND GUARANTEED PROGRAM SLOTS. THE CONTRACTING PROCESS IS INITIATED BY THE INMATE BY CONTACTING HIS OR HER SOCIAL WORKER IN THE INSTITUTION. A JOINTLY DEVELOPED PROPOSAL IS THEN PRESENTED TO THE MAP COORDINATOR, WHO REVIEWS THE PROPOSAL WITH THE INMATE AND SETS A NEGOTIATION DATE. FINAL DETAILS ARE WORKED OUT IN A NEGOTIATION SESSION INVOLVING THE INMATE, TWO PAROLE BOARD MEMBERS, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS. THE MAP COORDINATOR CHAIRS THE NEGOTIATION SESSION. WHEN A CONTRACT IS AGREED UPON, IT IS SIGNED BY THE INMATE AND THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES. THE MAP PROJECT'S STAFFING AND ORGANIZATION ARE DESCRIBED, AND THE PROJECT'S PROBLEMS RELATIVE TO ACCESS, PAROLE BOARD INVOLVEMENT, CONTRACT CANCELLATION PROCEDURES ARE DISCUSSED. MAP'S IMPACT ON SERVICE DELIVERY IS ASSESSED IN TERMS OF ACCOUNTABILITY, SERVICE PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION, AND SERVICE COORDINATION. THE PROGRAM'S IMPACT ON PARTICIPANTS IS EVALUATED BY COMPARING POSTRELEASE ADJUSTMENT FOR MAP RELEASEES, NON-MAP RELEASEES, AND RELEASEES WHO INVESTIGATED MAP BUT DID NOT SIGN CONTRACTS. THE DATA SUGGEST THAT, DESPITE THEIR MORE SERIOUS CRIMINAL HISTORIES, NON-MAP INMATES ARE LIKELY TO DO AS WELL ON PAROLE AS DO NO-CONTRACT AND MAP RELEASEES. THE LIMITATION OF THE IMPACT DATA ARE STRESSED. (LKM)