The Swiss Criminal Code specifies fines and three forms of incarceration (detention for 1 day to 3 months, a prison sentence of 3 days to 3 years, and confinement for 1 to 20 years or life) as the primary punishments. Judges may also impose probation by suspending custodial sentences of up to 18 months. Juvenile judges may also impose warnings, community service, and fines in addition to imprisonment of up to 1 year. The implementation of imprisonment is the responsibility of the 76 Cantons or States in the Federal structure. The goal of imprisonment is education and preparation for reentry into society based on inmate classification, work, and preservation of contact with the outside community. Conditional release is the final optional step in the system of progressive implementation of the sentence. Special arrangements cover prisoners in maximum security, females, youthful offenders, and drug abusers. During the last 2 decades, many small improvements have occurred in the prison system. A commission of experts is currently preparing recommendations for a complete revision of the Swiss Criminal code, emphasizing alternatives to institutionalization and expansion of prisoners' rights. Footnotes, tables, and 17 references