The source for the average daily inmate population is a Management Information System generated printout that uses an automated file, which contains information on inmate movements and location history. Data show that the average number of inmates in Department of Corrections institutions and private contracted beds in February 1996 was 24,665. This is a 0.8- percent increase from the 24,478 average inmate population in custody in January and a 12.6-percent increase from the average inmate population (21,913) recorded a year ago. For February 1996 there were 24,034 inmates, excluding privately contracted beds and prerelease beds, housed in State facilities that had a base capacity of 16,166. The Virginia Department of Corrections was thus operating at 148.7 percent of capacity. During February, the Southhampton Detention Center had an average daily inmate population of 87, with a base capacity of 100; these figures are not reflected in the aforementioned totals. In addition to the data for February 1996, graphs show the average daily inmate population for each month from July 1994 to June 1995, as well as for each month from July 1995 through June 1996. 2 figures and 3 tables