Thirty male adults who begin receiving rehabilitation services while in prison were compared to 30 inmates who did not begin receiving rehabilitation services until after they were paroled. All subjects were selected randomly by the rise of a computer printout. Pertinent data were gathered from the closed case files and analyzed. Results indicated that the added expense of operating the institutional phase of the public offender program did not produce any measurable benefits in terms of the number of successful case closures, the expediting of rehabilitation, the provision of training that could be utilized, or the job salary of the inmates at case closure. The length of case life for cases initiated in the institution, when compared to those from the field, was also significantly longer, reflecting a higher cost in terms of additional staff, additional staff time, and additional support services. It is suggested that after further research the program should be terminated unless research results change markedly. Tables, figures, five references, and an appendix containing the screening form are included. (Author abstract modified)