As a result of a new law that mandated higher minimum sentences virtually across the board, reduced good time earned for inmates, and truth in sentencing provisions, and led to soaring arrest, conviction and imprisonment rates, Ohio's penal population rapidly expanded past existing facility capacity. The administration was unwilling to increase funding for intermediate sanctions programs and facilities without convincing evidence that there were demonstrably nonviolent offenders who would benefit from such programs. A research project was undertaken to construct an Ohio inmate profile as well as to provide specific data with which to test legislative and administrative proposals designed to relieve population pressures. Despite limitations of the study, it showed that many offenders sentenced to Ohio prisons pose no significant risk of violence and can be punished in intermediate sanction programs, thereby freeing space for offenders who require more restrictive sentences. This research clearly provided the empirical basis upon which the executive branch decided to increase community alternative funding. 7 references