As has been the case since 1978, the State's inmate population has shown further increases in 1985. Between 1976-1984, the daily inmate population has grown 67 percent. This population is expected to continue to rise through the mid- to late 1980's. While overcrowding continues to be a problem, initiatives developed in the past 4 years have saved a significant number of bedspaces and developed new ones. Alternative programs that have contributed to this reduction include upgrading and expansion of the Bail Commission, supervised pretrial release and temporary shelter, halfway houses, supervised home release, and intensive probation. In addition, new bedspace has been added through an intensive campaign of facility acquisition. Alternatives to incarceration are saving 1,700 bedspaces per day; 1,400 new beds are in various stages of development; and 280 beds are being leased from police departments. Expansion of these initiatives is recommended to further reduce overcrowding. An act on prison overcrowding and intensive probation is appended. Graphs.