ABSTRACT
T He régime of a prison is founded, and must be firmly founded, or the twin rocks of security and good order: if these are not sound perstructure, whatever its purpose, must sooner or later crack: this holds true in its degree for prisons of every type, though methods of securing the foundations will vary. Classification brings together in separate prisons those who can be trusted to exercise selfdiscipline, and there control by the staff, though not less effective, should be less obtrusive. The serious problems are presented in the local prisons and in those for long-term Ordinaries and persistent offenders: it is essential here that the staff should not only have complete and unquestioned control but that they should manifestly and openly be seen to have it. Many of these prisoners are malicious, cunning and often violent men whose only interests, throughout their sentences, are to score points in their incessant poker-game against authority and to bend to their purposes such weaker prisoners as they can dominate: and once this section feels itself to be on top, there is no more peace in that prison. Firm control is therefore necessary in the interests not only of the administration but of the majority of prisoners who want to do their time quietly, and they recognise and welcome it.
