The study analyzed types of offenses, sentence length, prior criminal histories, and changes in inmate characteristics over the previous year. The sample consisted of half the offenders admitted during the 1-month period. Only 5 percent were females. Information sources included personal interviews and prisoners' files. Admissions to prison were one-third direct court commitments, one-third probation violators, and one-third parole/mandatory release violators. Of the direct court commitments with no prior prison record, one-third had committed violent offenses, one-third property offenses, and one-third drug offense. The percentage of offenders admitted for violent and property offenses had declined since 1986, while drug offenses remained stable. In contrast, sentences had increased over the previous year. Implications of the survey's findings for prevention programs are discussed. Tables.