DISCUSSION OF LIFE IN PRISONS IN THIS AUDIOCASSETTE AND FILM STRIP UNIT EXAMINES THE PRISONERS' PROPENSITY AND REASONS FOR FORMING AND MAINTAINING GANGS. THE GANGLEADERS ARE THE ACTUAL ADMINISTRATORS OF PRISON LIFE, AND PRISON OFFICIALS CONTROL ONLY THE GALLERIES AND OFFICES. COMMON COMPLAINTS ARE FOOD AND SANITATION QUALITY, PROBLEMS OF STIGMA AND LACK OF EMPLOYABLE SKILLS FACED BY EX-CONVICTS AS THEY RETURN TO SOCIETY, AND FAILURE OF PRISON INDUSTRIES TO TRAIN PEOPLE FOR EXISTING JOBS AND INMATE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE ACADEMIC SKILLS. ONLY BY LUCK AND THROUGH PERSEVERANCE ARE OCCASIONAL INMATES ABLE TO PREPARE FOR A LIFE WITHOUT CRIME THROUGH THE ASSISTANCE OF PRISON PROGRAMS. PRISONS TEND TO BE RUN BY CUSTODIAL PERSONNEL WHO COME FROM THE BACKGROUNDS OPPOSITE THOSE OF THE PRISONERS AND WHO RESIST EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE REHABILITATIVE FUNCTION OF THE INSTITUTION. THE AMERICAN PRISON EXPERIENCE CRIMINALIZES MANY INMATES, IS DEHUMANIZING, AND STIGMATIZES THE OFFENDER. NO REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK).