The purpose of this study was to identifi important goals for group work with male inmates from the perspective of 162group therapy providers and mental health program directors. A principal components analysis with an oblimin rotation resulted in eight goal factors for group work with adult male inmates accounting for 70% of the common uariance. These factors included self-exploration and learning within a supportive group environment, group relationship building, substance abuse, learning healthier attitudes and behaviors, conformity, prosocial behavior, lifestyle, and institutional adjustment. Implications forgroup practice and research with male inmates are highlighted.Group counseling and psychotherapy services have been an important component of rehabilitation for inmates in correctional settings; however, it is still a relatively new area of research. Of interest, little is known about therapists' perceptions of important goals for group work with inmates. It has been argued that "specific, well-defined and realistic" goals should be developed to guide group work with inmates (Rizvi, Hyland, & Blackstock, 1983), and these goals need to be "achieved and Carrie L. Winterowd, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the School of Applied Health and Educational Psychology at Oklahoma State University. Her address is SAHEP, 434 Willard Hall, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, (405) 744-9446 (ofice), (405) 372-3202 (home), (405) 744-6756 (fax), carvin@okstate.edu. Robert D. Morgan, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at Texas Tech University. Sean W. Ferrell, Ph.D., is a psychologist at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Oklahoma City, OK. We would like to thank Dale Fuqua, Ph.D., for his consultation regarding the principal components analyses and for his assistance in reviewing parts of this manuscript.JOURNAL