Throughout the history of American corrections, the inmate has been a slave of the State. Beginning in the 1980's, however, inmate rights in the following areas have been litigated and upheld: confinement conditions, first amendment religious rights, mail delivery, access to media, due process, and access to the courts. In spite of the positive changes through court intervention, the issues of overcrowding, defusing institutional violence, and controlling inmate gangs remain three serious problems facing "megaprisons" in the 1990's. Overcrowded prisons result in increased inmate idleness that in turn contributes to increased inmate violence. Riots and major disturbance, inmate aggression toward other inmates, and inmate-staff conflicts are the primary forms of prison violence. Inmate gangs specialize in economic victimization, and gang conflicts contribute to prison violence. Currently, however, institutional violence is apparently tapering off, as administrators recapture some of the control they once had. 21 references.