After reviewing general policies and procedures throughout the country for addressing the problem of prison overcrowding, a needs assessment of the Washington prison system covers the classification of inmates, inmate rehabilitation and education needs, relevant court decisions, prison population forecasting in Washington State, the impact of the sentencing reform law of 1981, and community corrections programs. A discussion of new prison construction plans and costs considers the architect selection process, definitions and types of cost, cost estimates of architect and estimator, cost estimates to other States, and design cost considerations. It is recommended that the Department of Corrections provide the appropriate standing committees of the legislature and the legislative budget committee with the current problem resolution status noted in the 'Report to the Legislature, Academic and Vocational Training, October 12, 1981.' It is also suggested that the college level academic program be reinstated as an integral part of the inmate education program. Other recommendations deal with inmate drug abuse, inmate mental health services, the selection of architects and engineers for prison construction, local administration and enforcement of the building code for prison projects, and the appropriateness of a required percentage on construction cost for art in prison projects. The appendixes include options for reducing prison overcrowding, inmate education problems, prison conditions, a summary of recommendations, and internal procedures for selection of architects. Various relevant exhibits and tabular data are provided.