Both crime and incarceration rates have increased significantly in Texas in recent years, resulting in significant overcrowding. Both the legislature and Federal courts have imposed reforms on the correctional system and promote the increased use of probation, early release, and construction of additional prison facilities. Steps have also been taken to increase the use of contract corrections services and to develop innovative methods of pretrial release from county jails. The State currently has 28 State prisons and 254 county jails. Maximum security prisons exist throughout the prison systems. Females represented 4 percent of all inmates in August 1988 and were housed in two special units. The reforms of recent years have aimed to reduce overcrowding and comply with court orders; proposals for increased alternatives to incarceration have generally focused on relieving overcrowding rather than on rehabilitating offenders. A new comprehensive plan for the State corrections system is currently being developed. Tables and 22 references