The PC population in correctional facilities has grown almost 200 percent from 1978 to 1982; inmates remain in PC for considerably longer than other categories of inmates. The principal reason for these trends is the increasingly menacing nature and level of violence in society at large and among the inmate population specifically. Legal decisions have heightened correctional workers' concern regarding the threat that they may be found negligent in cases of inmate injuries. Furthermore, correctional reforms such as improved inmate classification, day passes, and greater freedom of movement within the institution have paradoxically created greater use of PC in some cases. Future issues to be faced will concern legal changes relative to due process, program access, liability, determinations of administrative negligence, and defining the extent of an inmate's right to protection. Screening processes for accurate determination of specific PC needs are just now being developed. The main improvements suggested for PC facilities include separating the PC unit from other segregation areas, reducing the number of new PC placements while improving means to return current PC inmates to the general prison population, providing better recreation for PC inmates. Staff do not view the PC unit as a desirable place to work, citing negative personal qualities of PC inmates when describing their objections. Only 20 percent of the PC inmates interviewed were placed in PC at someone else's suggestion; the remainder requested placement themselves. Charts, maps, and photographs are provided; study instruments and related materials are appended.