Medical services for inmates have been characterized by insensitivity, incompetence, indifference, and irresponsibility. In recent years, however, in response to inmate lawsuits, Federal courts have established that inmates have a right to a regular health care program conducted in a clinic, infirmary, or by a physician; regular access to medical care; regular intake physicals; responses to medical complaints; diagnostic tests; and the services of outside specialists, hospitals, or emergency rooms. In addition, the courts have restricted prison guards and administrators from denying prescribed drugs to prisoners. In response to court mandates for inmate medical care, many States have undertaken the implementation of long-term plans for improving inmate medical services. The Federal Government has also recently begun to address the problems of medical staffing of correctional facilities. In 1980, the National Health Service Corps will place 100 doctors in city and county jails and State prisons.