Recent public attitudes toward corrections make it clear that most Americans want violent criminals sentenced to prison for more time and with less chance of parole. In response to this and the public's fear of crime, legislators across the Nation have been making life more difficult for serious offenders. Mandatory sentencing guidelines, tougher parole policies, and longer sentences are keeping more criminals in prison for longer periods of time. As a result, the Nation's prison populations continue to increase dramatically. During the 12-month period ending June 30, 1995, the number of prison inmates increased by 89,707, the largest annual increase in U.S. history. Many states have been hit hard by this increase. By the end of 1994, State prisons were operating between 17 percent and 29 percent above capacity. To keep pace with this expanding population, Federal and State prison systems have been building new prisons and expanding existing institutions. Some have been renting jail space to house the overflow of inmates. Others have released certain inmates early to make room for more serious offenders. Some prison systems have found these approaches to be successful in reducing crowding. Others have incorporated alternative elements into their approach, such as community corrections, boot camps, home confinement, and halfway houses. What the public is willing to spend on corrections and what it is prepared to give up in funding for other government services will probably determine how prison overcrowding will be addressed in the future. 7 references