Written to inform about the processes, services, activities, issues and problems of being incarcerated, this is a valuable guide to anyone who has a relative or friend incarcerated in Texas, or for those who want to understand how prisoners live, eat, work, play and die in a contemporary US prison.

He explores the issues of drugs, racism, gangs, and violence as well as what an inmate can learn about his parole, custody levels, and how to handle emergencies. What opportunities are available for education? What is the official policy for discipline? What is a lockdown? These questions and many others are answered in this one-of-a-kind guide.