In general, rates for inmate homicides and suicides and inmate-on-inmate and inmate-on-staff assaults have decreased since the early 1980s along with disruptive behavior. The murder rate, which reached its highest level when it averaged 59.9 for fiscal years 1974-1977, declined to 14.4 for fiscal years 1986-1989. Recently, the suicide rate seems to have stabilized and to have declined from its 41.8 figure in fiscal year 1980. Much of the reduction in violent and disruptive behavior in the Bureau in recent years may be attributed to the system of control that has evolved over several decades. Following an intense focus on rehabilitation, a more open system emerged for operating Federal prisons which was based in large part on a human relations approach as best exemplified by unit management. 5 figures and 10 references