The preface notes that judicial policy toward prison litigation has changed significantly in recent years; the current trend is to reduce or eliminate prisoner benefits. The opening chapter provides an overview of United States common law, the court structure, and the format of reports of judicial decisions. Additional chapters discuss inmates' rights with respect to the use of force, the use of corporal punishment to enforce prison discipline, visitation and association, searches of visitors and prisoners, the use of the mail and telephone, and solitary confinement. Further chapters focus on religion in prison, legal services, prison disciplinary proceedings, parole, the right to rehabilitation programs, medical services, the right to life, the civil and criminal liability of prison officials, litigation on other topics, and the human rights of prisoners under the European Convention on Human Rights. Footnotes; table of cases; texts of cases on each topic; index; and appended Constitutional Amendments, ABA Standards, United Nations Standards, European Convention on Human Rights, and related background information