The correctional issues this paper will examine are adapting to and surviving prison life. There is a large literature, movies, scholarly works, and books on the difficulties inmates encounter to adjust to life behind bars. Ever since their first day in prison and throughout their stay there, inmates adjust differently. For some it may take a few years, and for others will take the remaining years of their lives. It is important to note that inmates adapt to prison life differently – for some it is easier, but for others it is very hard. Moreover, many fear that surviving inside of prison walls is impossible task to be accomplished. This paper will portray life in prison through the points of view from the movie - The Shawshank Redemption; the book – Zeitoun; Stohr, Walsh and Hemmens - Corrections textbook; and lastly, through two scholarly articles.