PREPARED AS A JOINT EFFORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION AND CORRECTION, THIS 1979 REPORT SETS AS THE OVERARCHING GOAL OF THE CORRECTIONAL MASTER PLAN THE PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC FROM CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. THE PLAN ADHERES TO THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPLES: (1) RESTRAINT OF OFFENDERS FOR THE LEAST PERIOD OF TIME AND IN THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE SETTING CONSISTENT WITH THE PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC; (2) RESTRAINT OF OFFENDERS AT THE LEAST COST CONSISTENT WITH HUMANE TREATMENT OF THE OFFENDER AND PROTECTION (INCLUDING OFFENDER REHABILITATION) OF THE PUBLIC; (3) MAXIMUM FEASIBLE UNIFORMITY OF TREATMENT FOR OFFENDERS COMMITTING SIMILAR CRIMINAL ACTS AND POSING SIMILAR THREATS TO PUBLIC SAFETY; (4) REGULAR EVALUATION OF THE RESULTS, QUALITY, AND COSTS OF DECISIONS TO INCARCERATE AND RELEASE OFFENDERS AND OPERATE STATE PENAL INSTITUTIONS, LOCAL JAILS, PROBATION, PAROLE, AND OTHER CORRECTIONAL SETTINGS; AND (5) PROVISION FOR THE PROTECTION OF CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF OFFENDERS. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE OFFERED FOR IMPLEMENTING THESE PRINCIPLES THROUGH COMMUNITY PLACEMENT, LOCAL DETENTION, AND STATE INSTITUTIONS. TABULAR DATA REGARDING THE EXISTING CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM ARE PRESENTED. THE APPENDIXES PROVIDE SENTENCED OFFENDER PROJECTIONS, NEW INSTITUTION COMPONENTS, AND COST COMPARISON COMPUTATIONS. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (RCB)