The reader is advised to imagine the criminal justice system as a huge machine that combines mechanical and bestial qualities and that guarantees an unpleasant experience. The text also advises readers not to assume that they can beat the system; instead, they need to understand what will happens so that they can improve their chances of a quicker and less painful exit. Individual chapters advise the reader on how to interact with police officers, how to behave in jail, how to select an attorney, and pretrial and trial procedures. Further chapters detail the arrival in prison; prison rape; weapons in prison; prison gangs; prison hustles such as selling food, drugs, and other contraband; and hobbies and recreation. Sections on inmate discipline explain segregation units, urinalysis to monitor drug use prisoners' rights, inmate grievances, inmate lawsuits, and the experiences of death row and execution for inmates sentenced to capital punishment. The final chapter offers suggestions on how a reader who is involved in illegal activities can reduce the chance of being apprehended or incarcerated. Index and appended lists of books periodicals, lists of resource organizations, and guidelines for avoiding AIDS