A review of duties and responsibilities currently imposed on correctional staff by law focuses on the correctional/living unit officers who have the most direct contact with inmates. It emphasizes the complexity of the correctional officer role and identifies tasks which might require the use of a staff power or force. Current rules authorizing staff powers are examined, including provisions on search and laws conferring peace officer powers in the penitentiary setting. The paper looks at existing rules governing the use of force for all public officials and situations unique to the institutional setting: escapes, major disturbances, and enforcing prison rules. Circumstances which justify the use of force, how much force may be employed, and post-incident report procedures are covered. Also discussed are protections for bona fide mistakes of correctional staff in their use of force and staff powers. With regard to accountability, the paper reviews internal mechanisms such as administrative directives and inmate grievance procedures and external means such as the courts and the Correctional Investigator's Office. The concept of a public Complaints Review Committee is explored. For related documents see NCJ 110655-59. 22 footnotes.