The introductory section includes a guide to this report regarding the Ministerial Committee of Inquiry into the Prisons System's terms of reference and a discussion of the philosophical foundations of the prisons system as viewed by the Department of Justice. The next section provides an account of the development of the prisons system and a description of the existing system, followed by a section concerned with issues relating to the management of the prison system. The issues include management structures at the Head Office and institutional levels, classification, segregation, gangs, drugs, hunger strikes, and escorting. An examination of prison staff addresses issues pertaining to equal employment opportunities, recruitment, training, and industrial relations. The discussion of case management and the welfare of inmates considers the philosophy of case management, education, employment and industries, health and medical needs, psychological and psychiatric services, drug treatment, welfare and spiritual needs, and recreation and prison library facilities. 35 references.