THE FIRST SECTION DESCRIBES THE COURSE OF EVENTS EXPERIENCED BY AN ADULT OFFENDER IMMEDIATELY AFTER CONVICTION OF A FELONY, WHETHER UPON A GUILTY PLEA OR BY A VERDICT OF GUILTY FOLLOWING A TRIAL. IT EXAMINES THE PROBATION DECISION, SENTENCING PROCESS, THE INSTITUTIONS, AND THE PAROLE CONSIDERATIONS FOR THOSE OFFENDERS SUBJECT TO THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM. THE COMMENT'S SECOND SECTION ANALYZES AVAILABLE STATISTICAL INFORMATION ON CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THE WASHINGTON CORRECTIONAL PROCESS, INCLUDING THE INCREASED USE OF PROBATION, THE NATURE OF INSTITUTIONAL POPULATIONS, AND THE LIKELIHOOD OF A PAROLED OFFENDER RETURNING TO THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)