The department's mission and goals, objectives, and legislative mandates are described with respect to punishment, safety and security, meeting inmate needs, correctional management, work and training programs, and reducing overcrowding. The phenomenal growth in the State's inmate population over the past 10 years is noted, and an annual growth rate of 7.8 percent is projected for the next 5 years. This is due to increases in new admission rates, increases in the number of parole violators returned to prison, and the lengthening of sentences and imposition of mandatory sentences. Inmates are predominantly male, with a median age of 29 years; and 51 percent are incarcerated for violent crimes. Of inmates, 62 percent are committed from southern California. In response to ever-increasing inmate housing needs, the Department has developed an overcrowding strategy based on percentage of design-bed capacity, types of beds, and conditions of facilities. Between 1984 and 1987, 16,200 new beds were added, 8,100 are under construction, and 5,700 new beds are in the planning and approval stages. In addition to construction, alternatives to incarceration are being explored. Authorization for additional projects also is being sought. Innovative methods are being used to reduce costs, speed up construction, and provide systemwide consistency. Tables and figures.