THE DEFINITION AND DIAGNOSIS OF MENTAL RETARDATION INVOLVES A DEFICIT IN ADAPTIVE BEHAVIOR AS WELL AS A LOW INTELLIGENCE QUOTIENT (IQ) SCORE. IN THE KENTUCKY CORRECTIONS SYSTEM, THERE ARE 539 OFFENDERS WITH IQ SCORES BELOW 85. DISTINGUISHING PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MENTALLY RETARDED HINDER SUCH OFFENDERS FROM RECEIVING EQUAL JUSTICE WITHIN THE PRESENT CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. EASILY PERSUADED AND MANIPULATED AND PRONE TO VIOLENCE UNDER FRUSTRATION, SUCH INMATES RARELY MAKE INSTITUTIONAL ADJUSTMENTS TO THE SATISFACTION OF CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS AND PAROLE BOARDS. THEIR APPARENT LACK OF COOPERATION, DUE TO THE INABILITY TO UNDERSTAND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCEDURES, HINDERS THE MENTALLY RETARDED IN COURTROOM SITUATIONS. FURTHERMORE, A DECLARATION OF INCOMPETENCY FREQUENTLY RESULTS IN INDEFINITE INSTITUTIONAL COMMITMENT. NEVERTHELESS, GIVEN APPROPRIATE TREATMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAMS, THE CHANCES FOR HABILITATING MENTALLY RETARDED OFFENDERS ARE GOOD BECAUSE THEIR PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS WOULD LEND THEMSELVES TO POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMS. FULLY INTEGRATED AND COORDINATED PROGRAMS ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR THE NEEDS OF RETARDED OFFENDERS ARE RECOMMENDED. IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE SERVICES SHOULD BEGIN WITH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR PROFESSIONALS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT SYSTEMS; THESE PROFESSIONALS MUST ACQUIRE BETTER INFORMED APPROACHES TO DEALING WITH RETARDED OFFENDERS. FURTHER, SPECIAL TREATMENT PROGRAMS MUST BE DEVELOPED IN INSTITUTIONS, AND PRERELEASE PLANNING AND PAROLE POSSIBILITIES MUST BE ADAPTED FOR THESE OFFENDERS. TABULAR DATA, FOOTNOTES, AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE PROVIDED.