A discussion of the crisis in British prisons relates it to five areas: (1) the hidden character of prison conditions and operations which prevents public scrutiny, (2) prison officers' anxiety about maintaining their authority over prisoners, (3) appalling physical conditions, (4) uncertainty about how to deal with the long-term prisoner, and (5) growing uncertainty about the legitimacy of the nature, uses, and role of imprisonment. An outline of the structure and operations of the prison system considers the tasks of the prison service, the organization of the prison system, the cost of the prison system, types of prison, and categorization of prisoners, as well as sentenced prisoners, prisoner classification, and life prisoners. A portrayal of the prison routine focuses on reception, cell characteristics, food, work, education, letter and visits, discipline, and medical services. Attention is also given to the program for female inmates. Aspects of containment and control are considered, with particular attention to the role of the prison officer. The discussion of reform targets reducing the prison population, relieving prison conditions, changing prison regimes, and the contradictions of imprisonment. Fifty-eight bibliographic listings are provided, along with a subject index.