A recent survey shows that on an average day in 1991, 21,800 (42 percent) of 53,375 African American males residing in the District of Columbia were either in jail or prison, on probation or parole, out on bond awaiting disposition of criminal charges, or being sought on an arrest warrant. If current policies continue, these figures suggest that approximately 75 percent of African American males (18-35) who reside in the District of Columbia will be arrested and jailed or imprisoned at least once between the ages of 18 and 35. The public policy that results in such an outcome needs to be challenged. 6 figures and 5 footnotes