Evaluated life skills training (LST) programs conducted in 3 Canadian penitentiaries in terms of how effectively they met the goals of changing the personal and social functioning of the inmates. LST was conducted in 10 group training sessions and covered such topics as problem solving, assertiveness, self-understanding, and leisure activities. Outcome for the 68 male treated inmates was compared with that of 38 treatment dropouts and 22 untreated controls. The assessment measures, which included a behavioral measure (role play) and questionnaires on social behavior, attitudes, and criminal position, revealed benefits for trained Ss. The most dramatic effects of training were on the behavioral features of interactive social functioning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)