The data were gathered over a 6-month period in 1984 by a hand tabulation of statistics from all of the 1983 booking cards of the Milwaukee County Jail. For each of the 20,797 cards, information about the person, the reason for detention, the time spent waiting in jail, and the case disposition was noted. This information was computerized and the data compiled and correlated. Graphs compare the jail population with the county population, describe the relationship between bookings and detention days, show ranges of lengths of stay, and illustrate jail release dispositions. Among the findings was that minorities constituted 65 percent of the jail population, and that only 1 out of every 9 persons were women. The booking statistics revealed that 50.16 percent were for commitment/hold, 33.47 percent were for misdemeanors, and 16.36 percent were for felonies. Suggestions for improving the local criminal justice system, especially as it impacts on the Milwaukee County Jail, are provided. For example, alternatives to incarceration should be sought for those who do not pay fines; first and second time traffic violators should be charged under ordinances only; and alternatives to cash bail should be made available. Studies on unemployment, probation and parole supervision, alternatives to incarceration, recidivism, and racial inequities are recommended. Six tables and 12 graphs are included.