An observational study of the correctional institutions of Vacaville Medical Facility, Folsom State Prison, San Quentin State Prison, and the Los Angeles County Jail found that all four facilities catered to, offered, and allowed racially separated recreational activities and areas for inmates. The tendency for such a pattern to develop was confirmed by the Sacramento County Jail recreation staff in an assessment of inmate recreational activity preferences. The assessment found that each racial grouping -- blacks, Hispanics, whites, Asians, and Native Americans -- had distinguishing recreational preferences. Blacks generally preferred more physically active exercise, as did most Hispanics and Native Americans (basketball, handball, racketball, tennis, etc.), while whites generally preferred weightlifting and other physical fitness activities. Asians gave high ratings to less active recreation, such as ping pong, video games, riding the exercise bike, and reading; weightlifting was the most popular activity, however. Although there was a distinction in preference for recreation activities by race, the distinction is not sufficiently sharp to allow the development of recreation activities and areas by race. Such a pattern can only encourage alienation among inmates by race and promote racially-motivated violence among inmates. It is the responsibility of the recreational staff to ensure that recreational activities and areas are racially mixed. Two bibliographic listings are provided.