A BRIEF HISTORY OF AMERICAN PRISONS WHICH ILLUSTRATES THE FAILURE OF THE PRISON SYSTEM IS FIRST PROVIDED. THE AUTHOR REVIEWS SEVERAL MODELS OF CORRECTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN USED TO JUSTIFY IMPRISONMENT, INCLUDING DETERRENCE, REHABILITATION, REFORM, RETRIBUTION, AND INCAPACITATION. SUCH ASPECTS OF CORRECTIONS AS PRISON VIOLENCE, AND THE PROBLEMS OF CORRECTIONAL PERSONNEL ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. THE FATE OF PROMISING INNOVATIONS IN THE COERCIVE ENVIRONMENT OF THE PRISON IS EXAMINED, AND THE PROS AND CONS OF MODEL PRISON FACILITIES ARE DEBATED. FINALLY, THE AUTHOR OUTLINES THE PRECEDENTS, PROSPECTS, AND POLICIES FOR REFORM OF CORRECTIONS. HE PROPOSES THAT THE PRISON SYSTEM BE GRADUALLY PHASED OUT, AND REPLACED WITH COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVES, SHORT TERM DETENTION, AND AMNESTY FOR SOME OFFENDERS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)