In the face of increasing disciplinary problems related to an increasing association among inmates, a decision was made in 1978 to adopt a system of group isolation rather than individual segregation for violent, subversive, and recalcitrant inmates. The regime in this special unit was extremely spartan, and recreation and other privileges were severely curtailed. Problems in this unit led to a riot and resulted in a reevaluation of the handling of difficult inmates. In 1972 a special unit was established that was psychiatrically oriented and had a volunteer staff that serves in a therapeutic relationship with inmates, while retaining a fair system of discipline. Emphasis is on enabling problem inmates to develop a self-governing community in partnership with the staff.