FOLLOWING A DISCUSSION OF THE PRACTICAL AND LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS INVOLVED IN THE LITIGATION OF A MAJOR PRISONERS' RIGHTS ACTION AND THE MANY PROCEDURAL PROBLEMS POSED BY SUCH LITIGATION, THE SUBSTANTIVE LEGAL RIGHTS OF CONVICTED PRISONERS, PRETRIAL DETAINEES, AND MENTAL PATIENTS ARE EXAMINED. PROCEDURAL DUE PROCESS, CONDITIONS OF CONFINEMENT, AND THE RIGHT OF ACCESS TO THE COURTS ARE DISCUSSED, ALONG WITH THE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS OF PRISONERS, PAROLE AND PARDONS, THE RIGHT TO CREDIT FOR TIME SERVED, MISCELLANEOUS LEGAL PROBLEMS OF PRISONERS, AND DAMAGE ACTIONS AGAINST PRISON OFFICIALS UNDER THE FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS ACT. ENFORCING THE RIGHTS OF DETAINEES AND THE PROCESS OF INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENT AND REVIEW ARE ALSO EXAMINED. APPENDED MATERIALS INCLUDE ASSORTED FORMS--MODEL PLEADINGS, MOTIONS, AND DISCOVERY REQUESTS--RELEVANT TO PRISON, JAIL, AND MENTAL HEALTH LITIGATION. RELEVANT JUDICIAL DECISIONS ARE FOOTNOTED, ALONG WITH OTHER REFERENCES. (KBL)