THE HISTORICAL CONTRIBUTIONS LOOK AT HOWARD'S INFLUENCE ON THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING WORLD AND ON THE CONTINENT OF EUROPE, AND ASSESS HIS ACHIEVEMENT IN THE LIGHT OF PRESENT DAY ISSUES: THEY COVER HIS WORK WITH THE BEDFORD PRISON, HIS INFLUENCE IN AMERICA AND ON THE EUROPEAN PRISON SYSTEM, AND HIS CONCENTRATION ON THE DAY-TO-DAY DETAILS OF PRISON LIFE--HOW MUCH BREAD EACH PRISONER SHOULD HAVE AND HOW MANY CUBIC FEET OF BREATHING SPACE INMATES SHOULD HAVE TO BE COMFORTABLE. THE REVIEW OF PRESENT DAY PRISON PRACTICE INCLUDES SUCH CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES AS PAROLE, PRISONERS' RIGHTS, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN PRISONS, AND THE DETRIMENTAL EFFECT OF PRISON ON CRIMINALITY. SOME RADICAL IDEAS ARE PRESENTED ON SOCIAL CONTROL WITH OR WITHOUT PRISONS, THE SEPARATION OF PUNISHMENT AND TREATMENT, AND THE 'JUSTICE' OR NEOPUNITIVE THEORY OF PENAL POLICY. THE OPENING AND CLOSING STATEMENTS GIVEN AT THE HOWARD LEAGUE CONVENTION ARE INCLUDED, AS IS A LIST OF THE CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS COLLECTION WITH SOME BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION. AN INDEX AND REFERENCES ARE ALSO PROVIDED. (MHP)