THE REPORT IS INTENDED TO BE OF ASSISTANCE TO POLICYMAKERS IN THEIR EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE CORRECTIONAL PROCESS. THE EIGHT MAJOR TOPICS OF DISCUSSION INCLUDE THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF CORRECTIONS IN FLORIDA FROM 1900 THROUGH 1977, THE STATUS OF RECOMMENDATIONS PROPOSED IN 1974, JUDICIAL RULINGS PERTINENT TO THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM, THE CORRECTIONAL ORGANIZATION ACT OF 1975, INMATE POPULATIONS AND FACILITIES, STATE PRISON POPULATIONS AND BUDGETS FOR COMPARATIVE PURPOSES, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYMENT, AND GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS. FLORIDA HAS PROGRESSED CONSIDERABLY FROM THE TIME WHEN THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM WAS LABELED 'AN AMERICAN SIBERIA' THROUGH THE ABOLITION OF THE LEASE SYSTEM OF CONTRACTING INMATES TO PRIVATE ENTERPRISE. FURTHER IMPROVEMENT HAS RESULTED BECAUSE OF THE ADOPTION OF MANY OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN THE 1974 SENATE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE STAFF REPORT. IN ADDITION, STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS HAVE BECOME MORE RECEPTIVE TO HEARING CASES INVOLVING INMATES, PROBATIONERS, AND PAROLEES. THE 1972 SUPREME COURT DECISION IN MORRISSEY V. BREWER, WHICH ESTABLISHED THE MINIMUM DUE PROCESS REQUIREMENTS FOR PAROLE REVOCATION, IS AN EXAMPLE OF THIS TREND. THE CORRECTIONAL ORGANIZATION ACT OF 1975 HAS HAD MAJOR IMPACT ON THE CORRECTIONAL PROCESS THROUGH THE CREATION OF NEW DEPARTMENTS, BY REMOVING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SUPERVISION OF PAROLEES AND PROBATIONERS FROM THE FLORIDA PAROLE AND PROBATION COMMISSION, AND BY REGIONALIZING CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM OPERATIONS. MORE ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED IN FLORIDA, A STATE WHICH CONTINUES TO HAVE ONE OF THE HIGHEST PER CAPITA PRISON POPULATIONS IN THE NATION. ALSO, A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF PRETRIAL PLANNING SHOULD BE DEVELOPED. FINALLY, PROBATION OFFICERS SHOULD BE GIVEN MORE AUTHORITY IN DETERMINING THE AMOUNT OF SUPERVISION THAT EACH PERSON SHOULD RECEIVE.TABULAR AND GRAPHIC INFORMATION, FOOTNOTES, AND 28 REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED.