In an effort to improve the quality of health services within a large urban jail, former military medical corpsmen have been employed as an integral component of a jail health service. Medical corpsmen are responsible for the performance of intake medical evaluations, delivery of prescription medications, triage for physician sick call, and provision of elementary health services on the jail tiers. Utilization of medical corpsmen has been associated with improved rates of medication delivery as well as beneficial effects in relation to tuberculosis and venereal disease control, and a more appropriate utilization of physician services. Effective utilization of medical corpsmen requires cooperation from the correctional staff as well as consistent supervision and support by qualified physicians.