THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION IS CHARGED WITH EXECUTING SPECIFIC MISSIONS: (1) THE CUSTODIAL MISSION, WHICH INCLUDES THE HOLDING OF DETAINEES AND SENTENCED PRISONERS; (2) THE INMATE MISSION, WHICH PROVIDES A PANOPLY OF SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL, REHABILITATIVE, RECREATIONAL, AND RELIGIOUS PROGRAMS FOR DETAINEES AND INMATES; (3) THE CARE SERVICE MISSION, WHICH TAKES CARE OF THE BASIC HUMAN NEEDS OF ALL INMATES; AND (4) THE SUPPORT SERVICES MISSION, WHICH IS CHARGED WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR PERFORMING SUCH FUNCTIONS AS FACILITY CONSTRUCTION, STEAM AND ELECTRIC POWER PLANT OPERATION, MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLES AND ROADS, FIRE PROTECTION, WAREHOUSING, AND TRANSPORTATION. INMATES WHO ARE CARED FOR BY THE CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT ARE PUT THERE BY THE COURTS, DISTRICT ATTORNEYS, DEFENSE COUNSEL AND DIVERSION PROGRAMS. THESE AGENCIES ALSO DECIDE THE LENGTH OF INCARCERATION TIME FOR PRISONERS. INSTITUTIONAL ADMISSIONS AND INMATE POPULATIONS ARE EXAMINED, AND A DECLINE IS INDICATED IN THE DAILY INMATE CENSUS FROM 1969 TO 1976 AND ALSO IN THE AVERAGE TIME SPENT IN AN INSTITUTION BY AN INMATE. A DEFENDANT PROFILE IS PRESENTED INCLUDING DATA ON CHARGE STATUS, BAIL, WELFARE, AND EMPLOYMENT STATUS. THE REPORT CONCLUDES THAT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN NEW YORK CITY IS INCARCERATING THE ABSOLUTE MINIMUM NUMBER OF PEOPLE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN PUBLIC SAFELY AND SECURITY. CHARTS AND TABLES ARE PROVIDED. (DAG)