The course aims to analyze the problems surrounding prison, illustrating the main contributions to the study of the evolution of the prison institution, its functions and the practices carried out in it. The current situation of prisons in Italy will then be analysed, with particular attention to the issues of overcrowding, the inmate population, immigrants in prison and recidivism. Part of the course will be dedicated to the sociological analysis of the current conditions of the detained population and emerging problems: work, health, cultural and training activities. The protection of fundamental rights in conditions of detention, both from a regulatory point of view and in relation to the role and duties of the Prisoners' Guarantor.