Correctional personnel, social workers, and other persons working with, and for prison inmates and ex-offenders deplore the persistence of negative public attitudes toward these socially vulnerable individuals. Prejudice seriously endangers the ex-offenders' chances for social reintegration which depend on their being accepted as members of the community and finding suitable employment. Unemployed, or underemployed and exploited at best, ex-offenders are driven back into crime which appears to be the only way open to them for economic survival. Hence, recidivism rates as high as 80 percent. Public attitudes toward inmates and ex-offenders need to be investigated and evaluated to measure the effectiveness of social intervention programs currently being implemented. An attitude scale was, therefore, constructed as presented here. The scale measures both positive and negative attitudes. Studies conducted to assess its reliability and validity indicate that the scale is valid and reliable, based on the available data. The psychometric features of the scale make it a suitable measurement device to evaluate the effectiveness of numerous social programs. Hopefully, the information gained by means of this instrument on the negative attitudinal areas of public opinion will help plan public relations and education programs. The public must become aware of the vital role its attitudes play in the reintegration of ex-offenders into a society which they all share. Three tables give the attitude scale and other relevant data. Bibliographic references are included in 24 endnotes.