A national survey of wardens at maximum security institutions sought to learn about the prisons' policy regarding racial integration of cells. While there were some similarities across States, few wardens were aware of the policies at other facilities and of policies held by their State departments of correction. A large proportion of States allow individual wardens to make decisions regarding integration of prison cells and prison blocks. Since the integration of prison cells became an issue in the 1960's, wardens have typically argued that integration would lead to a loss of institutional control. In institutions that have integration policies, there are differences between what wardens perceive to be the most desirable policy from the standpoint of safety and security and what the wardens claim they actually do. This has important implications. The article claims that it could indicate significant changes in wardens' attitudes at the ideological level. Wardens in the 1990's may have believed that race-neutral policies were preferable. The actual policies may, however, be too difficult to implement at the practical level. Tables, references