After discussing evolving standards of decency and State-initiated prison reform over the period 1849-1967, the book addresses the development of inmate writ writers and judicial intervention to remedy unconstitutionally inhumane prison conditions. Over the period 1972-1974, the book traces a change in prison leadership and the emergence of prison reform groups. In Ruiz v. Estelle, the State waged a 6-year procedural battle to delay court action that might significantly impact Texas correctional institutions. By the time of trial, overcrowding had become so serious in Texas prisons that it became the pre-eminent issue in the suit and provided the basis for broadscale systemic relief to Texas inmates. The book describes and analyzes the State's defiant stance against court-ordered change until influential State leaders joined the Federal courts in recognizing the need for reform and initiated sweeping changes in the administration and control of Texas prisons. Chapter notes and names and subject indexes.