This study was conducted to provide a consistent and comprehensive description of convicted persons' entrance into and release from correctional custody and correctional supervision. Data were obtained from official State prison records on topics such as race, sex, and age of inmates; length of time in jail; length of time in prison; and type of offense committed. The sample consisted of all persons incarcerated in prisons in the United States -- in 38 State prisons, Federal prisons, the California Youth Authority, and the District of Columbia. The types of data are event/transaction data and administrative records data. The codebook and user guide are provided as Portable Document Format (PDF) files. The PDF file format is incorporated in the CD-ROM and can be accessed with the Adobe Acrobat Reader (software provided). In addition to the codebook, the PDF file contains a variable description list, a data collection description, concepts and definitions, file structure, processing notes, and ICPSR (Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research) processing information. SAS and SPSS data definition statements are also provided. A booklet provides information on the computer hardware and software specifications needed to view the CD-ROM.