THE AUTHORS REVIEW SEVERAL LANDMARK DECISIONS WHICH DEAL SPECIFICALLY WITH SUCH CRUCIAL AREAS AS PRISON DISCIPLINE, MEDICAL CARE, LACK OF PROGRAMS, AND GROSSLY INADEQUATE PRISON CONDITIONS, AS WELL AS THE COURT CASES DEALING WITH THE MOST COMMON DEFENSE OF STATE OFFICIALS: LACK OF FUNDS. A MORE DETAILED EXAMINATION OF THE IMPLICATIONS OF A 1976 ALABAMA COURT CASE, JAMES V. WALLACE, IS ALSO PROVIDED. IN THIS DECISION THE COURT HELD THAT THERE WAS OBVIOUS DISREGARD FOR THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS OF THE EIGTH AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS. IN RESPONSE TO THE FINDINGS THE COURT SET OUT A COMPREHENSIVE SET OF STANDARDS, FOCUSING ON ELEVEN ASPECTS OF INSTITUTIONAL MANAGEMENT. THIS ARTICLE BRIEFLY REVIEWS THE RULING OF THE COURT ON EACH OF THESE ASPECTS: OVERCROWDING, SEGREGATION AND ISOLATION, CLASSIFICATION, MENTAL HEALTH CARE, PROTECTION FROM VIOLENCE, LIVING CONDITIONS, FOOD SERVICE, CORRESPONDENCE AND VISITATION, PHYSICAL FACILITIES, STAFF, AND EDUCATIONAL, VOCATIONAL, WORK, AND RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)