Control within a correctional setting involves selective balance between security and control needs and inmate programs and operations, such as recreation, visitation, and inmate movement. A crisis within a penal facility often begins when the balance within the environment is disrupted, either because of inmate activity or a management decision. It may be impossible to maintain balance within a difficult correctional climate, but there are policies that will allow correctional staff to monitor and respond to issues before they reach crisis mode. They include making mid-level and upper-level staff more visible in every area of the facility; having a professional, well-trained staff; and having a good communication process that allows inmate and staff concerns to be heard by top-level administrators. In spite of efforts to prevent crises, however, they will occur, and staff must be prepared for them. This can be done by establishing a pre-crisis response team, foreseeing events that are likely to precipitate a crisis, assessing the risk of a crisis, developing emergency plans, establishing a crisis response team, and training staff. Some pitfalls in crisis management are acting without all available information; failing to encourage independent, critical thought by staff; failing to audit the crisis response process; and confusing useless staff activity for rational action to restore balance. After a crisis is resolved, a debriefing process and an investigation should be undertaken as soon as possible. 6 references