THE ORGANIZATION OF THE DEPARTMENT IS OUTLINED, INCLUDING FUNCTIONS OF THE DIVISIONS OF CLASSIFICATION AND STATISTICS, BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, INSTITUTIONS, AND PAROLE AND COMMUNITY SERVICES, THE BUREAU OF PERSONNEL, THE LEGAL SERVICES SECTION, AND THE OFFICES OF PUBLIC INFORMATION AND OF THE CHIEF INSPECTOR. THE DEPARTMENT IS CHARGED WIITH THE OPERATION OF FIVE MALE PENITENTIARIES, TWO MALE REFORMATORIES, AND A WOMEN'S INSTITUTION, WHICH ARE DESCRIBED SEPARATELY IN DETAIL. THE INSTITUTIONS IN QUESTION PROVIDE SPECIAL EMPLOYEE TRAINING AND CITIZEN COUNCILS FOR COMMUNITY INPUT, AS WELL AS INMATE PROGRAMS SUCH AS RELIGIOUS SERVICES, SOCIAL SERVICES, PSYCHOLOGICAL CARE, HOME FURLOUGH ARRANGEMENTS, MEDICAL SERVICES, AN INMATE GRIEVANCE SYSTEM, A COURT OF CLAIMS, AND HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE, AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION. THE PRISON POPULATION HAS RISEN STEADILY FOR 6 YEARS TO A HIGH OF 13,639 ON JUNE 30, 1979. AS A RESULT, THE SHORTAGE OF PRISON SPACE HAS BECOME CRITICAL, BUT EFFORTS TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR CONSTRUCTION HAVE BEEN FRUITLESS. THE GROWING PRISON POPULATION IS ATTRIBUTED TO A HIGH COMMITMENT RATE; ABOUT 70 PERCENT OF THOSE INSTITUTIONALIZED WERE SENT TO PRISON FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE STATE'S SIX LARGEST URBAN AREAS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OVER HALF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF COMMITMENTS. BREAKING AND ENTERING IS THE MOST FREQUENT CRIME FOR WHICH OFFENDERS ARE COMMITTED. BECAUSE OF THE STATE'S INDETERMINATE SENTENCING LAW, PAROLE SERVICES PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE CORRECTIONS SYSTEM. SPECIAL PROBATION DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AND COMMUNITY CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMS ARE OPERATED TO PROVIDE ALTERNATIVES TO INSITUTIONALIZATION. FINANCIAL OPERATIONS AS WELL AS FUNDS FROM FEDERAL SOURCES ARE SUMMARIZED. TABLES, ILLUSTRATIONS AND APPENDIXES ARE SUPPLIED.