ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN INMATES AT THE BORDENTOWN (NJ) YOUTH CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION WERE INTERVIEWED, NO CLAIMS OF REPRESENTATIVENESS ARE MADE FOR THE SAMPLE: FROM THE INMATE'S PERSPECTIVE, PUBLIC DEFENDERS DO NOT APPEAR EITHER TO CARE ABOUT AN ACQUITTAL OR TO 'FIGHT' FOR A FAVORABLE 'DEAL'; THE JUDICIAL PROCESS THAT MANY INMATES DESCRIBED WAS LARGELY INFORMAL AND FREQUENTLY INVISIBLE. PLEA NEGOTIATIONS WERE HELD BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. THE MAJORITY OF INMATES REPORTED AN AMBIVALANCE TOWARD THE ROLE OF JUDGES. MANY OF THE SAME RESPONDENTS WHO REPORTED THAT JUDGES WERE 'FAIR' DURING THEIR TRIAL WERE CRITICAL OF THEIR APPARENT IGNORANCE ABOUT THE REALITIES OF PRISON LIFE. LAWYERS WERE SEEN AS 'DEAL MAKERS' - DEALING WITH THE SEAMY SIDE OF THE LAW. CLOSER LAWYER CLIENT CONSULTATION IS URGED, SO THAT THE CLIENT CAN BETTER UNDERSTAND THE PLEA BARGAINING PROCESS.