DESPITE OBSTACLES AND DIFFICULTIES, THE VALUE OF COMPETENT COUNSELING TO JAIL INMATES AS AN AID TOWARD REDUCING RECIDIVISM AND AS AN AID TO ADJUSTMENT HAS BEEN WELL ESTABLISHED. WHILE THE MOVEMENT IS SLOW, THERE ARE MORE JAILS WHICH ARE EITHER DIRECTLY ADMINISTERING COUNSELING PROGRAMS TO INMATES OR ARE AVAILING THEMSELVES OF SUCH SERVICES FROM VOLUNTARY COMMUNITY AGENCIES. THEY ARE REACHING SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALWAYS RESISTED, CONSCIOUSLY OR UNCONSCIOUSLY, THE HELPING RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY. THIS RESISTANCE IS ONE REASON SUCH A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF THE GROUP ARE ACTUALLY REJECTS FROM OTHER COMMUNITY AGENCIES. ON ANY ONE DAY THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 1 MILLION INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED WITH THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM THROUGH PROBATION OR PAROLE, STATE OR FEDERAL PRISONS, OR LOCAL JAILS. THESE PEOPLE ARE SEGREGATED AND MAINTAINED AT AN OPERATIONAL COST OF $1 BILLION PER YEAR. THIS DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE SUBSIDIARY COSTS INCLUDING SUPPORT OF DEPENDENTS, COSTS TO VICTIMS, ECONOMIC LOSS TO THE COMMUNITY IN PRODUCTION AND TAXES. BETWEEN 40 AND 50 PERCENT OF THESE OFFENDERS ARE GOOD CANDIDATES FOR REHABILITATION THROUGH INTENSIVE COUNSELING. PREVENTION THROUGH REHABILITATION WOULD CUT COSTS SUBSTANTIALLY. THIS PAPER WAS PRESENTED TO THE AMERICAN PERSONNEL AND GUIDANCE ASSOCIATION CONVENTION (DALLAS, MARCH 21, 1967). (AO)