A brief introductory section surveys the major problems and trends in the area of correctional health care services. Problems include the inadequacy of care and recordkeeping, the shortage of qualified staff, the absence of medical staff for many small jails, and chronic underfunding. Judicial decisions related to inmates' right to medical care and professional and governmental responses in terms of establishment of standards and accreditation are briefly reviewed. Promising new approaches described include the use of contractual arrangements for health care and the development of health and medical care training programs for inmates. The references include journal articles, bibliographies, professional papers, and books. Many of the documents cited are publications of the American Medical Association and the American Bar Association. A title index is provided, as is an appended list of national organizations and Federal agencies concerned with health care in correctional institutions. Availability information is given for each citation.