FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE RISING PRISON POPULATION INCLUDE THE INCREASING SIZE OF THE POPULATION AT RISK (AGE 20 TO 30), TOUGHER POLICIES SUCH AS MANDATORY SENTENCING, LIMITS ON THE PERCENTAGE OF CONVICTED PERSONS WHO CAN BE DIVERTED FROM PRISON, AND HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RESULTING FROM THE NATION'S ECONOMIC PROBLEMS. FLORIDA TRACES THE INCREASE IN ITS INMATE POPULATION DIRECTLY TO THREE FACTORS: REDUCED PROBATION, INCREASED COMMITMENTS, AND FEWER PAROLES. EFFORTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SPACE FOR FLORIDA INMATES AND TO HIRE MORE STAFF TO SUPERVISE AND PROVIDE PROGRAMS. BUT THERE ARE MANY OBSTACLES TO CONSTRUCTION OF NEW FACILITIES AS A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM OF OVERCROWDING. THESE OBSTACLES INCLUDE CITIZENS' RELUCTANCE TO ACCEPT PRISON FACILITIES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, LIMITED FUNDING, AND TIME CONSTRAINTS. EFFORTS TO DEVELOP SAFE, EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION IN FLORIDA HAVE INCLUDED WORK AIMED AT RESTORING JUDGES' FAITH IN THE PAROLE SYSTEM, ESTABLISHMENT OF A MUTUAL AGREEMENT PROGRAM FOR CONTRACT PAROLEES, AND INTRODUCTION OF TIME-OFF INCENTIVES FOR OFFENDERS TO COMPENSATE THEIR VICTIMS. FLORIDA'S APPEAL OF THE FEDERAL RULING REQUIRING IT TO REDUCE ITS PRISON POPULATION IS DISCUSSED. (LKM)