Public opinion surveys clearly show that the public views crime as a top concern and perceives inmates as coddled by the criminal justice system. Generally, the public demands that criminals be punished and expects them to have few or no "amenities," such as recreational equipment, televisions, pay or cable TV, movies, electrical musical instruments, crafts, or leisure-time activity programs. Most correctional professionals, on the other hand, believe that such recreational programs have a place if they are used in conjunction with good correctional practice. In order to acquaint the public and legislators about what is involved in effective correctional policy, correctional administrators should embark on high profile, clearly articulated, well-organized educational programs that target both the public and legislative bodies. Educating the community and developing a correctional policy cluster would assist in protecting against bad policy development by legislators. In the legislative area, correctional agencies might assign employees to visit lawmakers and legislative staffs to inform them about policies and operations as well as the importance of correctional programs. Regarding the education of the general public, information about prison and corrections programs can be shared with community and religious groups, business leaders, heads of media organizations, senior citizen groups, criminal justice and law enforcement organizations, and other associations. Further, articles, op-ed pieces, and press releases that describe programs in correctional agencies, the value of such programs, and their benefits to society are an important way to spread positive information about correctional agencies. Public affairs staffers should help shape the image of agencies and should not allow outside sources to shape it for them. A power cluster to look after correctional interests can be created by linking the correctional agency with supportive agencies such as law enforcement organizations and unions, community groups, employee organizations, and other supportive associations. This cluster should not engage in lobbying, but rather should focus on education. 13 references