PRISONS HAVE REMAINED OVERCROWDED, AND PRISON STAFF HAVE BEEN DISSATISFIED WITH PAY AND CONDITIONS. VARIOUS FORMS OF INDUSTRIAL ACTION HAVE RESULTED IN PRISONERS SPENDING LONG PERIODS IN THEIR CELLS AND BEING DEPRIVED OF VISITS. MOREOVER, HOME OFFICE RESEARCH REVEALED THAT A THIRD OF THE PRISON POPULATION HAD NEVER COMMITTED ANYTHING BUT MINOR OFFENSES AND THAT MANY WERE HOMELESS, MENTALLY ILL, POORLY EDUCATED, AND OTHERWISE DISADVANTAGED. THE HOWARD LEAGUE PUBLICIZED THESE FINDINGS AND ITS REFORMIST VIEWS. THE REPORT RECORDS THE LEAGUE'S DEALINGS WITH PARLIAMENT, ITS LIAISON EFFORTS WITH THE HOME OFFICE AND OTHER BODIES, AND THE PROGRESS OF ITS COMMITTEES ON CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS, THE PRISONER AND THE COMMUNITY, THE DANGEROUS OFFENDER, AND THE CENTER FOR CRIME PROBLEMS. IT COMMENTS ON LETTERS RECEIVED FROM PRISONERS WHICH SEEK LEGAL ADVICE, HEALTH SERVICES, AND HELP WITH PRISON DISCIPLINE. MEETINGS AND DAY CONFERENCES OF THE LEAGUE IN 1977 ARE OUTLINED AND ITS PUBLICATIONS LISTED. REPORTS ARE GIVEN ON WORK OF LOCAL BRANCHES AND STATE OF FINANCES. INCOME AND FINANCE TABLES ARE INCLUDED. (MJW)