The 1972 survey reports responses to the Federal mandate for prisoner access to legal reference material, correctional library development in each included State and Federal prison, and a literature search. Insights rather than statistical data are sought. The States represent a cross-section of rural and industrial communities and prison types, and on-site investigations include interviews with inmates and prison personnel, including library workers. Findings show that correctional library services are generally poor, although some exceptions, especially law libraries, surpass nearby public libraries. Moreover, no prison library visited met the needs of institutionalized persons. Library problems include inappropriate library hours and collections; a lack of service to maximum security areas; difficulty in obtaining desired materials, especially for minorities; and lack of audiovisual materials. These inappropriate and inadequate services are due in part to library emphasis on subjects related to rehabilitation rather than the information inmates desire and need for life after prison. Other prison studies indicate that prisoners have a critical need for information about prison regulations and procedures, community resources, law, and employment. Library services would be improved by library coordinators but they should not be administered separately from prison education programs. Important library needs include better budgets, more trained personnel, improved communication with other institutional staff and outside libraries, and improved planning. A literature search cites about sixteen publications on correctional library services and practices, while copious recommendations are presented for staffing, materials, funding, interaction with the communities, policy, and other areas. Twenty-three references are included.