THE DISCUSSION OFFERS A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE HISTORY OF CORRECTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES, A REVIEW OF FACTORS THAT MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO PRISON POPULATION GROWTH, AND COMMENTS ON POLICY ISSUES RELATED TO NEW PRISON CONSTRUCTION AND TO ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION. SOCIETY'S ASSIGNMENT OF TWO BASICALLY INCOMPATIBLE TASKS -- RETRIBUTION AND REHABILITATION -TO THE CORRECTIONS SYSTEM IS NOTED. THE GROWING CONCERN WITH THE RIGHTS OF PRISONERS AND WITH HUMANE TREATMENT IS SAID TO BE OVERSHADOWED BY AN APPARENT DESIRE FOR STIFFER SENTENCING. OTHER ISSUES TOUCHED UPON INCLUDE DECRIMINALIZATION AND REFERRAL OF OFFENDERS TO DIVERSION PROGRAMS. THE ORGANIZATIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLEXITY OF THE CORRECTIONS SYSTEM IS POINTED OUT. ESTIMATES OF COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH BUILDING AND OPERATING PRISONS ARE CITED. THE LEAA ROLE IN CORRECTIONS IS DISCUSSED. FEDERAL LEGISLATION THAT WOULD REQUIRE LEAA TO SET STANDARDS FOR STATE AND LOCAL CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES IS CRITICIZED. (LKM)