THE HEALTH SERVICE PROGRAM MUST FUNCTION AS PART OF THE OVERALL INSTITUTIONAL PROGRAM. CLOSE COOPERATION IS REQUIRED AMONG THE MEDICAL STAFF, OTHER PROFESSIONAL STAFF, CORRECTIONAL PERSONNEL, AND FACILITY ADMINISTRATION. THE 23 ESSENTIAL STANDARDS ARE RECOGNIZED BY ORGANIZED MEDICINE AS CRITICAL FOR A VIABLE HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEM, WHILE THE REMAINING 46 STANDARDS ARE CONSIDERED IMPORTANT TO COMPLETE A PRISON HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEM. THE STANDARDS ARE ARRANGED NUMERICALLY WITHIN SPECIFIC TOPIC AREAS, ADMINISTRATIVE, PERSONNEL, CARE AND TREATMENT, ETC. DISCUSSION FOLLOWING EACH STANDARD ELABORATES ON THE CONCEPTUAL BASIS OF THE STANDARD AND, IN SOME INSTANCES, IDENTIFIES ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO COMPLIANCE. IN ADDITION, DEFINITIONS OF KEY TERMS ARE PRESENTED. SIX TOPIC AREAS CLASSIFY THE STANDARDS. THE ADMINISTRATIVE SECTION ADDRESSES VARIOUS ASPECTS OF HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEM MANAGEMENT, INCLUDING PROCESSES AND RESOURCES, AND OUTLINES THE METHOD OF FORMALIZING THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. THE PERSONNEL SECTION INCLUDES STANDARDS PERTAINING TO STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING, WORK APPRAISAL, AND STAFF SUPERVISION. THE THIRD SECTION COVERS VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE CARE AND TREATMENT OF PATIENTS AND TOUCHES ON TREATMENT PHILOSOPHY, ACCESS TO SERVICES, PRACTICES, AND PROCEDURES. THE PHARMACEUTICAL STANDARD, EXISTING AS A SEPARATE SECTION, ADDRESSES THE MANAGEMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS IN LINE WITH STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS AND/OR REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR MEDICATIONS CONTROL. PRESCRIBING PRACTICES, STOP ORDERS, AND REEVALUATIONS CONCERNING PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATIONS ARE ALSO INCLUDED. CONFIDENTIALITY, FORM AND FORMAT, AND TRANSFER OF HEALTH CARE RECORDS ARE COVERED IN THE NEXT SECTION. FINALLY, MEDICAL-LEGAL ISSUES ARE ADDRESSED SUCH AS INMATES' RIGHT TO INFORMED CONSENT AND RIGHT TO REFUSE TREATMENT. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)