Disasters and crises in a prison include riots and disturbances, major work stoppages, staff or inmate assault or death, escapes, fire, and sabotage. Facility design that may foster disaster includes faulty construction and architectural mistakes that create "blind-spots" in the facility. Design failures include living units that are built in such a way that the officer cannot directly observe the activities of the inmates, and the placing of officer stations at one end of the unit and showers and TV rooms at the other end. Equipment failures that may precipitate disasters involve faulty security equipment or highly complex equipment with many components susceptible to breakdown. Procedural mistakes include a lack of clear procedures, failure to follow procedures, and conflicting supervisory instructions. Supply/material failures involve the failure to maintain appropriate materials and supplies necessary for facility operations. A "disaster environment" is one in which the mission and operation increase the possibility of major incidents occurring. The article concludes with an outline of the four levels of incidents that affect the operation of the total system, as suggested in disaster theory. 1 figure and 9 notes