The challenge of jail social work is to provide inmate services neglected by local communities. The manual describes steps in the criminal justice process and how each affects jail inmates. Common areas where jail inmates need assistance are identified, principally determining the exact release date, court date, and case status. Also considered are locating a prisoner's property and responding to inmate grievances. An orientation to the jail environment examines the relationship of jails to the criminal justice system, the jail inmate population, and jails as an institution in transition. The manual suggests the social worker become an advocate for the provision of needed services to inmates. Social workers should also facilitate communication between the prisoner and specific agencies as well as develop inmate programs. Separate sections focus on the medical social worker, crisis intervention, dealing with the special inmate population, and protecting inmates from sexual assault. The discussion of release planning focuses on reentry issues for jail inmates, identification of individual needs, and community resources.