Citizens want stricter laws, yet they do not want to spend more money on prisons. Money for alternatives to incarceration is now politically defensible. Powers of local jails and State prison officials are unclear. Parole programs should be kept close to the agency in charge of prison units. The alternative program to keep prison-bound offenders in community settings which is still in the developmental stage and under two different departments, should be consolidated. Probation and community service programs are closely related in purpose and should be coordinated. The new N.C. Department of Corrections should control all correctional programs, or decentralization should be more logical. Either by rulings or threats of suits Federal courts may be involved in this chaotic State correctional system. 1 chart and 3 tables.