The opening chapter outlines the basic problems faced by most State correctional systems, and subsequent chapters discuss the political influences which affect the ways and means by which these problems and contexts are addressed. The State executive branch is presented as the initiator of broad correctional policy. The roles of the Governor are described as political, symbolic and ceremonial, policymaking, administrative, coordinating, and legislative. The performances of the various Governors under which the author has served as a correctional administrator are portrayed. The discussion of the legislative branch's influence on corrections gives particular attention to the situation in California. The political influences on legislators are examined, and guidelines for a correctional administrator's dealings with a legislature and legislators are considered. Correctional administrators' dealings with the mass media, civil service, and citizen correctional constituencies are also analyzed. The fundamental nature of a State correctional system is described, and suggestions for its administration are provided, followed by a discussion of the administration of a single prison. Chapters are devoted to prison overcrowding, corrections' stake in the sentencing controversy, and scientific data and research as the basis for correctional policy in a political setting. Tabular data are provided on the disposition of adult felony arrests in California in 1979, convictions of felony complaints filed by offense category in California in 1979, and victims' most important reasons for not notifying police. Seventeen references and an index are provided.