Using data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the Bureau of the Census, the rates at which different segments of the 20-29 age group come under the control of the criminal justice system are calculated. The analysis looks at the total number of persons in State and Federal prisons, jails, probation, and parole and compares rates of criminal justice control by race, sex, and ethnicity. The findings are displayed in two tables and are summarized in the text. Six implications for social policy are listed: (1) impact on the life prospects for black males; (2) impact on the black community; (3) failure of the "get tough" approach to crime control; (4) implications for the "war on drugs"; (5) strategies for more effective criminal justice policies and programs; (6) the need for a broad approach to crime and crime control. 19 references, 2 tables, and 8 notes