THE STUDY ON WHICH THE REPORT IS BASED WAS UNDERTAKEN IN LIGHT OF CONCERN ABOUT THE SECURITY AND WELL-BEING OF STATE INMATES AND ABOUT THE PRISON SYSTEM'S ABILITY TO PROVIDE FOR REHABILITATION. STUDY ACTIVITIES INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING: A REVIEW OF PUBLICATIONS ON PRISON ADMINISTRATION, OPERATION, AND REFORM; COMMUNICATIONS WITH ORGANIZATIONS ENGAGED IN CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM REFORM; A REVIEW OF NATIONAL AND STATE STANDARDS AND DRAFT MODEL LEGISLATION PERTAINING TO PRISONER STATUS AND THE OPERATION OF PRISONS; INTERVIEWS WITH PRISON ADMINISTRATORS, STAFF, AND INMATES; AND UNANNOUNCED VISITS TO AND FORMAL TOURS OF PRISON FACILITIES. FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS RELATE TO REPLACING THE STATE BOARD OF PRISON COMMISSIONERS WITH A BOARD OF PRIVATE CITIZENS EXPERT IN AREAS OF IMPORTANCE TO PRISON OPERATIONS, DEVELOPING UNIFORM POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR ALL AREAS OF PRISON ADMINISTRATION, AND REQUIRING THE PRISONS TO PREPARE A BIENNIAL REPORT TO THE PUBLIC. OTHER FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: STAFF SELECTION, PROMOTION, AND TRAINING; REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS (INMATE WORK PROGRAMS, EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING, SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAMS, RELEASE PREPARATION AND TEMPORARY RELEASE, RESEARCH AND PROGRAM EVALUATION, CITIZEN VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS, EQUAL ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR FEMALE INMATES); AND WELL-BEING OF INMATES (HEALTH CARE, SANITATION AND HYGIENE, FOOD SERVICES, RECREATION, PRISON OMBUDSMAN, DUE PROCESS IN DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS, VISITATION, INMATE PROPERTY AND CORRESPONDENCE, REPORTING OF MONEY IN PRISONERS' STORE FUND, CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS' SUPERVISION OF INMATES OF THE OPPOSITE SEX, REMOVAL OF LICENSING RESTRICTIONS FOR CERTAIN EX-OFFENDERS, INMATE RELEASE PAY, DESTRUCTION OF STATE-OWNED PROPERTY BY INMATES). SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION INCLUDES THE EXCHANGE OF QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS BETWEEN THE STUDY COMMITTEE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF PRISONS AND THE COMMITTEE'S PROPOSALS FOR LEGISLATION TO PUT ITS RECOMMENDATIONS INTO EFFECT. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED. (LKM)