All 50 States returned questionnaires, indicating an average male prison population of 9,645 individuals and an average female prison population of 477. Seven States reported their entire prison system was under a court order due to overcrowding, and 23 States indicated one or more of their institutions were under a court order because of overcrowding. State prison officials felt strongly that the public's desire for law and order contributed to prison overcrowding. Most States reported new construction or planned construction of permanent facilities to accommodate inmates and minimize overcrowding. The most favored personnel solution to prison overcrowding was increased hiring of correctional and security personnel, followed by increased hiring of counseling staff. Correctional facilities satisfied court orders to correct overcrowding primarily by renovating existing facilities and hiring additional custodial staff. The study findings suggest that about 80 percent of State prison systems face an overcrowding problem. Appendixes contain supplemental data on physical, personnel, policy, and legislative solutions to prison overcrowding. 6 references, 6 tables.