The major impulses and 'watersheds' in correctional history and practice from ancient tribal codes to the present are discussed, including thinking about justice and equity, the function of punishment, and the rise and fall of the rehabilitation ideal. The role of corrections in the overall criminal justice enterprise is considered, and the following principal issues in the correctional crisis are examined: demographic trends, the 'hands-on' doctrine of the courts which places much of correctional policy in the hands of the judiciary, the confusion of purpose and objective, inadequate correctional facilities and programs, and the difficulty of correctional reform. Ways in which corrections is attempting to meet these crises are described. Community-based corrections at all stages of the correctional process is explored, including pretrial diversion and probation as alternatives to incarceration, parole as an add-on to incarceration, and work release and furlough programs as means of gradual reentry into society. Following a discussion of attributes of jails and long-term facilities is a consideration of critical issues of correctional management, prison security, correctional programs, prisoners' rights, and prison violence. Chapters are devoted to the crimes and special needs of male, female, and juvenile offenders, and the concluding chapter examines alternative futures for corrections. Tabular data, and photographic and graphic illustrations are provided, along with annotated references and notes at the end of each chapter. Name and subject indexes are also included. (Author summary modified)