THE FIRST SECTION OF THE TEXT OFFERS A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE HEALTH PROBLEMS OF PRISONERS, INCLUDING DATA OBTAINED FROM A HEALTH STATUS STUDY OF 1420 CONSECUTIVE ADMISSIONS TO NEW YORK CITY CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES. OTHER CHAPTERS IN THIS SECTION DESCRIBE THE ELEMENTS OF SERVICE PROVISION IN PENAL FACILITIES, INCLUDING INTAKE EXAMINATION; PRIMARY CARE; SPECIALTY, INFIRMARY AND HOSPITAL CARE; DENTAL CARE; AND HEALTH CARE FOR WOMEN. INFORMATION ON PSYCHIATRIC CARE IS ALSO GIVEN, AND IS GEARED TOWARD THE PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER WHO MAY HAVE TO EVALUATE AND MANAGE SUICIDAL, DEPRESSED, AND PSYCHOTIC PATIENTS. THE SECOND SECTION PROVIDES DETAILED GUIDELINES FOR MANAGING COMMON MEDICAL PROBLEMS WITHIN THE PRISON. EMERGENCY CARE, DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE, EPILEPSY, INFECTIOUS DISEASES, AND DERMATOLOGICAL DISORDERS ARE AMONG THE PROBLEMS RECEIVING SPECIAL ATTENTION. THE FINAL SECTION FOCUSES ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS WHICH MUST BE CONSIDERED IN ORDER TO EFFECTIVELY PROMOTE HEALTH AND PREVENT DISEASE, ON LEGAL ISSUES, AND ON QUALITY ASSURANCE. THIS SECTION ALSO OUTLINES THE ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION NEEDED TO DELIVER HEALTH CARE IN A TYPICAL SETTING, THE PRISON, WHERE CUSTODY -NOT HEALTH CARE -- IS THE 'RAISON D'ETRE.' DESCRIPTIONS OF VARIOUS HEALTH CARE DELIVERY MODELS FOR PENAL FACILITIES ARE ALSO GIVEN, INCLUDING CONTRACTUAL SERVICES WITH PROVIDERS FROM THE OUTSIDE COMMUNITY. REFERENCES AND AN INDEX ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)