THE PRISONIZATION MODEL ASSUMES THAT THE INMATE SOCIAL SYSTEM ARISES WITHIN THE INSTITUTION AS A RESPONSE TO THE DEPRIVATIONS AND DEGRADATIONS OF INCARCERATION. THE CRIMINALIZATION MODEL MAINTAINS THAT THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN IMPORTED INTO THE INSTITUTION FROM BOTH CRIMINAL AND LOWER SOCIOECONOMIC SUBCULTURES. IMPLICIT IN BOTH MODELS ARE ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT THE NATURE AND STRENGTH OF INMATES' SELF-ESTEEM DURING IMPRISONMENT. PATH ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES ARE APPLIED TO DATA GATHERED IN SELF-REPORT QUESTIONNAIRES (NOT INCLUDED) COMPLETED BY INMATES AT THE FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, ASHLAND, KY. TWO MEASURES OF SELF-ESTEEM ARE USED AS THE DEPENDENT VARIABLE IN EXAMINATIONS OF EACH INSTITUTIONAL CAREER PHASE (ENTRY, MIDDLE PHASE, TERMINATION). THE ANALYSIS INDICATES SUPPORT FOR THE CRIMINALIZATION MODEL. SUPPORTING DATA, DETAILS OF ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES, AND A LIST OF REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (LKM)