Data are provided on the circumstances of the hostage- takings, offender and hostage profiles, and an analysis of the issues with a view toward developing policies and practices that will help prevent such incidents. Findings show that most often a male inmate will take a female staff member hostage. Even though sexual assault may not be the initial motive for the hostage- taking, an assault may occur as the hostage-taker finds he is in total control of the hostage and the situation. Most often the hostage-taker has a history of sexual offending. Staff most at risk for being taken hostage are female, non-correctional staff who are working alone or almost alone in areas accessible to inmates. The demands made by the hostage-taker in such incidents are vague and are often made late into the incident. Most often demands involve the offender wanting to talk to a particular staff member. Preventive measures should include ensuring the presence of other staff, security staff in particular, in areas where staff are required to work; ensuring there are enough portable personal alarms (PPA's) for staff who need them, and ensuring that staff wear their PPA's. All staff, particularly non-correctional staff, should be trained in what to do if they or a colleague are taken hostage. Once an incident has begun, responses may be improved by learning to define the situation accurately as a forcible confinement and potential sexual assault and then responding to the incident according to this definition.