The history of prisoners rights and the purposes of prisons themselves are traced from English beginnings to the present day, and important social and economic factors impacting on correctional systems are identified. Several prisoner rights suits are described in detail and their implications are considered. The concept of negotiated settlements of prison litigation is described. The case of Bell vs. Wolfish is analyzed as a setback to the increasing liberalization of prisoner rights. Gains which women prisoners have made in obtaining constitutional rights, including the right to equal access to treatment and rehabilitation programs, are described. The history and current status of labor practices in the correctional setting are discussed. A discussion of the impotence of the correctional system is presented in which elimination of the practice of sentencing persons to prison for treatment is suggested. Finally, a legal services program for prisoners operated by attorneys and law students is described. The program has received approval from both prisoner-clients and the judiciary. Notes, references, and case citations are included after most articles. For individual articles, See NCJ 75037-75045.