In 1981-1982 the Ombudsman's office heard 833 complaints against the Department of Corrective Services, ranging from complaints about legal aid and food to prison riots. The most common complaints concerned transfers, property, classification, medical and dental services, victimization, and general conditions. Other cases centered on cell searches, misuse of segregation, failure to deal with assaults by correctional officers, and vindictive or inconsistent practices. Perhaps 30 percent of complaints could have been avoided if officials and inmates were provided with manuals setting out their obligations and entitlements. General strategies for reducing complaints of illegality or misconduct include improving the quality of management, providing a prison ombudsman, and reducing the administrative isolation of prisons. 1 table.