This thesis has presented original literary works written by several young men who were or are incarcerated in two institutions of the California Youth Authority. The thesis has justified the exploration of these works by showing the value of the works as a reflection of the thoughts of persons the society has deemed worthy of punishment, as a means of discovering the convictions and attitudes of these young men in regard to subjects of universal interest and as a worthwhile literature in its own right. This has been accomplished through the literary works themselves, the author's knowledge of the writers, and the comments of a group o peers upon the works.To clarify the works, they have been gathered into chapters by subject and each section of works is preceded by a discussion of said works end their composers.