Information was obtained from prisoners and staff using self-completed questionnaires that were administered between March and May 1998. In most establishments, prisoners were also contacted individually or in groups to obtain further information. Some 48 key variables dealing with issues such as cleanliness, food, facilities, standards, relationships, atmosphere, and access to family and friends were used to assess changes in service delivery between the current and previous surveys. Survey findings showed relationships between prisoners and staff were judged positive by the majority of prisoners, and prisoners were inclined to be positive about the prison atmosphere. About 53 percent of prisoners were the sole occupants of their cells, while 36 percent shared their cell with another prisoner. About 71 percent of prisoners were allocated work, most prisoners expressed positive views about prison cleanliness, and 64 percent of prisoners reported having their underwear changed daily. Although almost 50 percent of prisoners were generally satisfied with prison food, many prisoners still expressed strong negative views about several aspects of prison food service. Approximately 86 percent of prisoners reported getting recreation 3 or more times weekly, most prisoners rated specialist facilities in prisons positively, and a significant number of prisoners rated access to official complaint channels poorly. About 35 percent of prisoners expressed concern about their safety at some stage during their current sentence, 44 percent of prisoners reported they had used drugs at some point during the previous 6 months while in prison, a few prisoners reported experiencing problems of anxiety and depression, and 93 percent of prisoners were in regular contact with someone outside the prison. Staff rated relationships with their colleagues highly and relationships with prisoners in a generally positive way. Staff were critical of facilities provided for their exclusive use, believed most prison areas had a high standard of cleanliness, were generally positive about the overall state of prison repair, and judged the quality of food service positively. Staff supported more training in areas that would assist them in handling prisoners, 7 of 10 staff said they worried about their physical safety while on the job, 42 percent said a prisoner had assaulted them at some stage during their career, and 5 percent reported they had been sexually harassed by another staff member. Staff also expressed their opinions on features and management of the SPS, female staff, pay and performance, and stress. Changes and future initiatives in the SPS were suggested by both prisoners and staff. Appendixes provide further information on survey procedures and findings. References, tables, and figures