Four main issues of the 1986 demonstrations were condition of the prison, the violence of the regime, the length of sentences, and the lack of constructive rehabilitative philosophy. Although an internal inquiry was ordered, widespread dissatisfaction led to an independent inquiry in 1987 based on questionnaires completed by nearly 50 prisoners who were at Peterhead during the protest, interviews with ex-prisoners and families, and historical data. The team uncovered a long history of staff brutality, a punitive philosophy relying heavily on segregation as a disciplinary tool and an arbitrary classification scheme, appalling conditions, a lack of accountability, and harsh sentences imposed by the courts. The article summarizes Gateway's final report, as well as the Government's response. 64 footnotes.