The first section presents perspectives on long-term imprisonment, introducing definitions, characteristics of long-term inmates, primary correctional policies, and programmatic issues. In the second section, three essays by long-term inmates frame the issues in a highly personal manner. In the third section, researchers address the controversy surrounding the effects of long-term imprisonment on inmates. The section on adaptation and survivor among long-term inmates explores coping and time management strategies used by prisoners to deal with their experience. The chapters in the section on correctional responses argue that correctional personnel must be aware of the stresses and coping problems of long-term inmates and should be active in developing appropriate responses. The final section consists of two essays on correctional policy and long-term imprisonment. Chapter references