Historically, volunteer involvement in corrections has increased when the public has felt important corrections needs and concerns have been neglected. Then, as corrections has met these needs with paid staff, volunteers have diminished. In the 1950's, the use of volunteers in criminal justice and corrections began an upswing which peaked in the 1960's. Although the majority of corrections volunteers work in jails, prisons, probation, and parole, they are also involved in the establishment of halfway houses, detoxification centers, refuges for runaways, and job training programs for ex-offenders. Some corrections administrators and staff have resisted the use of volunteers because of their perceptions of volunteers' improper motivation, security problems, lack of dependability, and tendency to criticize staff methods. The study of a profile of a sample of 545 volunteers involved in 36 programs shows them to be about equally divided by sex, predominantly white, with some education beyond high school, and motivated by the desire to help others, civic responsibility, and religious convictions. Crucial factors in volunteer retention and effectiveness are relevant and thorough training; feedback on successful efforts; a friendly, relaxed, cooperative staff-volunteer relationship; and recruitment from minority groups who can relate to certain types of offenders. Precise job descriptions for volunteers are also important.