A survey of the criminal justice themes as reflected in Puerto Rican poetry and drama. In addition to aesthetic values, subjects like the following will be discussed: concepts and attitudes toward crime among Puerto Ricans; personal and social causes of the crimes attributed to Puerto Ricans. The factors that influence the image and attitudes of the Puerto Rican toward the police, courts, and law enforcement agencies; the physical and moral consequences of imprisonment. Puerto Rican poets and playwrights in the United States such as Pedro Pietri, Victor Hernandez Cruz and Miguel Pinero will be included.