An overview of five administrative centers important to the operation of a penal institution is presented to illustrate the particular phase of information processing cycle of a jail. These include prisoner intake and release processing (section A), the control center (B), cell block and restrictive housing (C), front office (E), and other activities (D). Section A involves booking, handling and storage of personal property, and record keeping. One of the primary functions of section B is to serve as a command center in time of crisis. However, from an administrative view, it serves as a focal point for interaction and communication. Routine processing of information pertaining to documentation of daily activities, scheduling, infractions, handling inmate concerns, and policing the prisoner population occurs there. Misconducts, write-ups, and disciplinary actions are very important components of an inmate's file folder as generated in secton C. This description of a system that is fully operational in a County prison demonstrates the relevance of computer automation to the field of corrections. 1 note