Data were collected in 1987 with a self-administered questionnaire and by secondary analysis of official data from the Nevada Department of Prisons. The questionnaire was completed by 1,770 (37 percent) of the adult male population housed in Nevada's five closed correctional institutions. Inmates were asked questions about the extent of participation in various leisure and sport activities while in prison. The analysis sought to determine some of the impacts of this participation on prison life. Leisure participation was grouped into active and passive categories and then correlated with background factors and with problems the respondent experienced in daily prison life, such as boredom, fighting, sexual assaults, temper flare-ups, and difficulties with correctional personnel. Findings show there is not a lot of participation in recreational activity within the prison setting. The recreational activities in which inmates do participate are generally passive rather than active. Additionally, the participation level is predominately zero to moderate. The evidence indicates that traditional justifications for recreation programs in prison, such as release of tension and rehabilitation, are not support. Instead, recreation is encouraged by the institution as a method of measuring tension within the inmate population and thus providing safety for the institution. There is a need for additional research into the role of recreation and sport programs in prison and other correctional settings. 5 tables and 18 references