AFTER A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE PROBLEM OF PRISON HOSTAGE INCIDENTS, THE AUTHOR PRESENTS A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ON HOSTAGE SITUATIONS AND METHODS OF COPING WITH THESE CONDITIONS. TOPICS INCLUDED IN THE LITERATURE REVIEW ARE A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE PROBLEM, THE MISSION OR OBJECTIVE IN COPING WITH HOSTAGE SITUATIONS, EXECUTION OF THE MISSION, COMMAND AND COMMUNICATIONS CONSIDERATIONS, AND MISCELLANEOUS CONSIDERATIONS. CURRENT FIELD PRACTICES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CORRECTIONS FOR DEALING WITH HOSTAGE SITUATIONS ARE THEN REPORTED. DATA ON THIS SUBJECT WAS GATHERED FROM A QUESTIONNAIRE SENT TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN THE FIFTY LARGEST U.S. CITIES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS OF EACH OF THE FIFTY STATES. RESULTS ARE REPORTED ON POLICY AND EXPERIENCE CONCERNING HOSTAGE SITUATIONS, PHILOSOPHY, NEGOTIATION METHODS, AND TACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS. FINALLY, A GENERAL OUTLINE OF THE STEPS NECESSARY FOR DEALING EFFECTIVELY WITH HOSTAGE SITUATIONS IS PRESENTED. A 68-ITEM BIBLIOGRAPHY AND A SAMPLE SURVEY INSTRUMENT ARE ALSO INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)...DMC