While several jails were experiencing serious overcrowding difficulties, Arizona's jails generally appear to be less crowded than other jail networks. There were 1,027 individuals who worked in the jails. Preservice and inservice jail staff training in Arizona was minimal or absent, and less than 50 percent of the jails had written prisoner classification policies. The average jail complied with 64 percent of the 18 sample advisory jail standards that were evaluated in the survey. None of the sample standards were met by all of the jails. The 14 main county jails had the highest average compliance score. In 1981, there were six actual and six attempted suicides occurring in the State's jails. It is recommended that a statewide effort be made to improve conditions in Arizona's jails. All jails should use the advisory standards as guidelines. In addition, a jail information system should be created, and uniform training requirements and certification standards should be implemented. Reference notes and extensive tables and figures are included. (Author summary modified)