Organized knowledge about the social world is open to interpretation and is subjected to processes of production, practical reasoning, and investigation. The authors posit, through case studies of past official prison inquiries, that any inquiry conducted internally would produce a version of events that legitimizes the authority and processes of the state. In the past, such internal inquiries were more commonplace; in modern society there is always the call for an independent inquiry. Thus, the chapter examines whether the truth about prison is accessible in our modern society or if it remains shrouded in official discourses surrounding prison. An official inquiry into inmate deaths is examined in order to illustrate how methods of reasoning in the production of official information shape the outcome of the official inquiry. Several factors are identified that impact the effectiveness of any inquiry: their methods of inquiry, personnel, speed of delivery, the context in which the inquiry begins and ends, question of independence, and quality of analysis. The authors recount a 2002 exploratory study of certain aspects of prison inquiries and turns to an examination of the elements of truth, independence, and effectiveness in official prison inquiries. The analysis indicates that most official reports represent some version of the truth and thus contribute to knowledge. Additionally, in terms of the importance of an independence inquirer, it appears that independence in and of itself is not significant in establishing a truthful account, but rather the qualities of fairness, impartiality, and good processes appear to be vital to the inquiry process. Questions regarding the effectiveness of official inquiries come down to the perceived effectiveness of the inquirer. In closing, the author asserts that inquiries serve a wide variety of purposes and as such need to meet the legitimacy needs of individual parties and observers. A legitimate inquiry follows established processes and is conducted within recognized legal and moral norms. Notes, references