The Rideau Alcohol Program (RAP) is a multi-disciplinary approach to alcohol-related problems of prison inmates. The evaluation begins with a review of the program's historical development. The current program philosophy and package are next outlined. The program is based on the concepts that a goal of controlled drinking for some alcohol-troubled individuals is more realistic than is total abstinence and that program clients must choose their program objectives, using the problem solving approach as a therapeutic alternative. In addition to using a multi-disciplinary approach, the Rideau Program assumes that drinking problems originate in a subject's failure to cope with life's emotional and physical crises. The program package includes instruction in life skills, leisure education, alcohol education, behavior counseling, group therapy, and the use of audiovisual materials. The program evaluation focuses on problems encountered in program structure and describes specific program aspects of the program that failed and required revision. Among these were grouping of all participants in one dormitory; the use of correctional staff as counselors; the use of aerobics to improve inmates' physical fitness and health; weekly visits to a YMCA fitness class; and attempts to have the RAP members practice progressive relaxation. Attempts were also made to obtain client evaluation of the program. The within-house evaluations indicated overall satisfaction. Postrelease questionnaires sent to program graduates brought few, however if any, replies, however. The paper's final section provides suggestions for program planners wishing to develop substance abuse programs within correctional settings. Recommendations include individualization of programs, studying the populations from which the clients will come, using a problem-solving approach, maintaining multi-disciplinary input from clients, making better use of correctional personnel as counselors, securing community support, and keeping track of discharged offenders. An annotated list of helpful audiovisual and written materials and a list of 49 references are provided.