In order to discern states' compliance with court mandates to provide prisoners with adequate legal counsel or access to legal reference materials, a questionnaire was administered to state consultants in 1972 and updated and expanded by later contacts with institutional consultants. Findings indicated that states are trying to comply with…

Recent Federal Court decisions have defined a prisoner's right to access to legal materials as an extension of his right of access to the courts. Correction administrators, recognizing the need for improvement of existing services, but unfamiliar with techniques and material requirements, have asked for help in meeting the new obligation. These…