In 1997, the DCS had a total of 69,106 inmates in custody at the end of December, and female offenders accounted for about 5 percent of this population (n=3,571). In 1998, the DCS had 70,001 inmates in custody, and female offenders also accounted for about 5 percent of this population (n=3,504). Similar to male inmates, most female inmates were committed from the New York City area. Minority inmates comprised the largest percentage of inmates under DCS supervision each year. The majority of inmates in custody claimed affiliation with an organized region at the time of their commitment. More females than males reported never being married, females were more likely than males to report themselves as being parents at the time of their commitment, and only 41 percent of females had earned a high school diploma by the time of their commitment. More males than females participated in vocational education programs while in custody, while more females than males reported drug or alcohol problems. Most females were committed for drug offenses, while most males were committed for violent felony offenses. Females were more likely to have lower, aggregate maximum sentences than men. Statistics are provided on other characteristics of female inmates, admissions, and releases. 26 footnotes, 15 tables, and 3 figures