CONGRESSIONALLY REQUESTED EVALUATION IN THREE MAJOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE INITIATIVES IS EXAMINED, SHEDDING LIGHT ON CONGRESS' ROLE IN PROGRAM EVALUATION. AN ENUMERATION OF THE REASONS WHY DECISION- AND POLICYMAKERS MAKE LITTLE OR NO USE OF AGENCY PROGRAM EVALUATION IS THE TOPIC OF ANOTHER ARTICLE. ALSO DISCUSSED ARE AN EVALUATION APPROACH INCLUDING EXAMINATION OF THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH A CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAM IS EFFECTIVE; HOW ECONOMIC CONDITIONS INFLUENCED RESULTS OF THE PREDICTIVE SENTENCING PROJECT; AND LONG-TERM IMPLICATIONS FOR OTHER PROJECTS. OTHER PAPERS DEAL WITH THE CONCLUSIONS REACHED BY THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTING OFFICE REGARDING PROBATION PREDICTION MODELS, AND EXAMINE THE HYPOTHESIS THAT SHORT-TERM INCARCERATION REDUCES RECIDIVISM MORE EFFECTIVELY THAN LONG-TERM INCARCERATION. THE JOURNAL INCLUDES AN UPDATE ARTICLE ON A SWEDISH CITIZEN-PRISONER GROUP, AND COMMENTS AND REPLIES. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED.