There was a 4-percent increase in the number of commitments during the year, from 2,848 in 1987 to 2,965 in 1988. There were 1,364 commitments to Cedar Junction (9 percent higher than 1987), 1,022 commitments to Framingham (14 percent higher than 1987), and 579 commitments to Concord (17 percent lower than 1987). There was a decrease of less than 1 percent in male commitments and an increase of 14 percent in female commitments from 1987 to 1988. The median minimum sentence for Cedar Junction commitments was 5 years; the median maximum sentence for Concord commitments was 10 years; and the median maximum sentence for Framingham commitments was less than 1 year. Sentence lengths for new court commitments were similar in 1987 and 1988. Violent offenses accounted for 52 percent of all male commitments and 11 percent of all female commitments. Nonviolent offenses (property, drugs, and "other") constituted 89 percent of all female commitments and 48 percent of all male commitments. The median age at commitment was 28 years old. Fifty-six percent of the commitment population was white (including Hispanics); 63 percent were single; 1 percent had been in the military; and most had limited work experience. Fifty-seven percent were first-time inmates. (Author abstract modified)