To date, over 20 jails in Mississippi are involved in litigation concerning the operations and regulations of jails. The checklist was developed from decisions rendered in Federal and State court rulings to determine facility vulnerability to potential lawsuits. Although compliance with the checklist cannot guarantee against lawsuits, it can be a valuable tool in jail program evaluation. The jail itself should be clean, have lighting and ventilation which is checked by the health department, be painted a light color, and include a recreational yard with scheduled access. The fire department should inspect the facility regularly, as should the pest exterminator. Menus should be approved by a nutritionist, and special diets should be provided for medical and religious reasons. Basic hygienic items such as soap and toothpaste should be supplied, and medical care should be available at all times through arrangements with physicians and hospitals. Inmate files containing admission forms, classification records, a log of medical attention, a copy of the inmates's personal property record, a copy of grievance procedure reports, and a copy of disciplinary actions should be maintained. Inmates should be allowed to examine and request amendment to the files. Common legal issues which have been raised against county jails in Mississippi have focused on discipline and punishment, mail and other means of communication, access to courts and legal aid, and medical care. The enclosed packet of forms suggests procedures to handle each of these problems. Footnotes and an appendix including approximately 10 sample forms are provided.