THE GOAL OF THE FREE VENTURE MODEL IS TO MOVE PRISON INDUSTRIES FROM THEIR PRESENT LOW LEVELS TO HIGH LEVELS OF PROFITABILITY, PRODUCTIVITY, AND WORK MOTIVATION. THE ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF THE MODEL INCLUDE A FULL WORK WEEK, INMATE WAGES BASED ON PRODUCTIVITY AND STANDARDS COMPARABLE TO THOSE IN THE REGULAR BUSINESS WORLD, HIRING AND FIRING PROCEDURES WITHIN THE LIMITS OF DUE PROCESS, AND TRANSFERABILITY OF TRAINING AND JOB SKILLS. FREE VENTURE INDUSTRIES WOULD PROVIDE PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENT BY THE STATE TO INMATES FOR CUSTODY, WELFARE, AND VICTIM RESTITUTION, WHILE OFFERING GRADUATED PREPARATION OF INMATES FOR RELEASE INTO THE COMMUNITY. MOREOVER, FREE VENTURE INDUSTRIES WOULD BE BASED ON BUSINESS PRACTICES WHICH ARE PROFITABLE AND SELF-SUPPORTING. ALTHOUGH THE REHABILITATION MODEL OF CORRECTIONS HAS COME UNDER INCREASING ATTACK, PHILOSOPHICAL PROBLEMS IN IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MODEL WILL INVOLVE GAINING THE ACCEPTANCE OF REHABILITATION-ORIENTED STAFF AND ADMINISTRATION. IN ADDITION, GOOD WORK HABITS HAVE NOT USUALLY BEEN A MAJOR PART OF THE CULTURE OF PRISON INMATES, AND PRISONS HAVE THEMSELVES DEVELOPED A CULTURE OF IDLENESS AND SHORT WORK DAYS. LACK OF IMMEDIATE GRATIFICATION AND THE POSSIBILITY FOR MALFEASANCE ARE FURTHER PROBLEMS IN IMPLEMENTATION. THE PRISON ENVIRONMENT ALSO PRODUCES A NUMBER OF PRESSURES AND SITUATIONS THAT ARE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE: LEADERSHIP AND ASSERTIVENESS ARE USUALLY DISCOURAGED OR BLUNTED, INDIVIDUALITY IS SUPPRESSED, AND THE ENVIRONMENT IS NOT CONDUCIVE TO SELF-CONFIDENCE OR PERSONAL PRIDE. THE TYPICAL INSTITUTION HAS GENERALLY GIVEN PRIORITY TO CUSTODY CONCERNS AND TREATMENT PROGRAMS OVER PRISON INDUSTRIES, AND FEW CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS WOULD BE WILLING TO ADJUST THEIR SCHEDULES AND PRIORITIES TO PERMIT THE LONGER WORKDAYS OR NIGHT HOURS NECESSARY TO FREE VENTURE INDUSTRIES. FINALLY, THERE ARE INNUMERABLE LEGAL AND REGULATORY RESTRICTIONS THAT WILL IMPEDE A PROFITABLE FREE VENTURE PROGRAM. WITH THE APPROPRIATE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE FOR INSTITUTIONS TO PARTIALLY OVERCOME THESE PROBLEMS. A NUMBER OF STRATEGIES WHICH MAY AID IN IMPLEMENTATION INCLUDE: INCENTIVE WAGE PLANS; DEVELOPMENT OF MORE TIME- AND COST-EFFECTIVE PRODUCTION METHODS; ADEQUATE COST ACCOUNTING AND EXPANSION OF THE SALES MARKET; AND FIXED HIRING/FIRING RESPONSIBILITIES FOR INDUSTRY MANAGERS. POSSIBLE TECHNICAL AIDS ARE BEING ASSESSED IN A VARIETY OF AREAS SUCH AS LEGISLATION, INVENTORY CONTROL AND ACCOUNTING COMPUTERIZATION, PROGRAM LINKAGES BETWEEN PRISON INDUSTRIES AND VOCATIONAL SERVICES, AND EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. (JAP)