The analysis also considers issues pertinent to involuntary treatment, confidentiality, quality assurance, management information systems, and research. The essential components of a comprehensive mental health system include crisis intervention, an acute care program, a chronic care program and/or special needs unit within the correctional setting, outpatient treatment services, consultation services, and discharge and transfer planning. Specialized programs for inmates with serious mental illness usually house 30-50 inmates in a housing inmate. Psychotropic medications are an important treatment modality. Group psychotherapy is generally considered the most cost-effective form of treatment within a prison setting. Therapy issues include the power and control issues that are dominant within a correctional setting, stresses related to institutional life, poor living conditions, violence, and others. Inmates receiving mental health service should have an individualized treatment plan. Inmates generally have a right to refuse evaluation and treatment; rules, regulations, laws, and judicial decisions govern involuntary treatment. The standards of professional organizations cover confidentiality. The National Commission on Correctional Health Care has standards on quality assurance and quality improvement. States are increasingly developing management information systems on mental health care programs. Policies and procedures should be developed to encourage and allow for research within correctional settings. Overall, the development of national guidelines and standards concerning correctional mental health care and successful class-action lawsuits relevant to such care have accelerated the development of more adequate mental health systems in correctional settings. 21 references (Author abstract modified)