THE PLEASANTON FACILITY HAS A CAPACITY OF 250, IS LOCATED NEAR THE POPULATION CENTER FROM WHICH ITS INMATES COME, AND IS DESIGNED AS A PLACE OF ACTIVITY AND PROGRAM ALTERNATIVES. ITS SIZE, LOCATION, AND CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMS ARE SAID TO REPRESENT A BREAK WITH THE PAST FOR THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS. THE PLANNING ACTIVITIES AND SITE STUDIES THAT PRECEDED THE JULY 1974 OPENING OF THE PLEASANTON FACILITY ARE NOTED. THE FACILITY'S HOUSING UNITS, PROGRAMS, SECURITY SYSTEM AND DESIGN FEATURES ARE DESCRIBED. EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON STAFF-INMATE INTERACTION, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, AND PROGRAM FLEXIBILITY. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)