The accelerated crime rate of the 1970's and the increase in prison receptions during that period require that a national policy be developed to cope with the significant increases in existing and projected incarceration costs. The broad dispersal of power among Federal, State, and local agencies has impeded the development of such a national policy to this point. The Federal role is limited to dealing with a select group of crimes. Even among States with similar problems, proposed solutions may be quite different. National policy should be concerned with factors such as the protection of the public welfare, least restrictive programming, prisoner medical care, and humane confinement conditions. Although several corrections policy initiatives have been developed (including those by the American Bar Association and the Crime Commission), corrections officials have played little part in their development. Corrections leaders must evaluate their position and approaches realistically in attempting to achieve a leadership role in setting national policy. They should be aware of barriers which can prevent their gaining significant influence in this area. Careful planning, resource development, and resource testing are also required. In addition, the corrections field lacks a suitable leadership cadre another major requisite. The ACA can play a role in providing this leadership and in alerting the public to the dangers of continued delay in making national policy in corrections.