This document compiles materials and bibliographic references to assist national high school debaters in researching the 1989-1990 topic, "How Can the Federal Government Reform Prisons and Jails in the United States?" Materials are organized into a section of general materials and around each of three official debate propositions within the topic: (1) Resolved: That the Federal Government should adopt a nationwide policy to decrease overcrowding in prisons and jails in the United States; (2) Resolved: That the Federal Government should enact a nationwide policy to decrease violence in prisons and jails in the United States; and (3) Resolved: That the Federal Government should expand rehabilitation programs for convicted criminals in the United States. Excerpts from documents were selected to provide background information, an overview of the principal issues, and a balance of opposing views. A research guide and a list of relevant publications is included at the end of the volume. (DB)