THE SIZE AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE YEAR-END PRISONER POPULATION AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL IS EXAMINED, AS WELL AS REGIONAL AND STATE LEVELS OF STATE INMATE POPULATIONS. THE RATION OF MALE TO FEMALE PRISONERS IS ALSO DISCUSSED. SPECIAL ATTENTION IS PAID TO YEAR-TO-YEAR CHANGE IN THE SIZE OF THE PRISONER POPULATION AND TO THE TYPES AND VOLUME OF ADMISSIONS AND DEPARTURES THAT OCCURRED DURING 1975. A SPECIAL TABLE PROVIDES A COUNT OF THE TOTAL INMATE POPULATION, INCLUDING NOT ONLY THOSE WITH MAXIMUM SENTENCES OF MORE THAN A YEAR, BUT ALSO THOSE WITH SORTER OR NO SENTENCES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT) (SNI ABSTRACT) ...ELW