DATA FOR THIS REPORT WAS OBTAINED FROM THE FOLLOWING SOURCES: WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS BY PERSONS AND ORGANIZATIONS INTERESTED IN PENAL METHODS; VISITS TO CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS; INFORMAL INTERVIEWS WITH PRISONERS; AND A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ON PENAL REFORM. ASPECTS OF THE SENTENCING PROCESS ARE FIRST EXAMINED, INCLUDING THE DISTRIBUTION OF SENTENCING AUTHORITY, TYPES OF SENTENCING OPTIONS AVAILABLE, AND THE ROLE OF THE LEGISLATURE, THE COURTS, AND THE CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT IN SETTING AND ADMINISTERING SENTENCES. THE REPORT ALSO EXAMINES THE USE OF PRESENTENCE REPORTS, THE UTILIZATION OF IMPRISONMENT, THE EFFECTS OF IMPRISONMENT, PRISON INDUSTRIES, PROBLEMS OF RECIDIVISM, PRISON EDUCATION, CLASSIFICATION OF OFFENDERS, AND THE TREATMENT OF MENTALLY ILL OFFENDERS AND SEXUAL OFFENDERS. THE USE OF SEMI- AND NON-CUSTODIAL SENTENCES SUCH AS CONDITIONAL DISCHARGES, FINES, OR PERIODIC DETENTION IS DISCUSSED AS WELL. FINALLY, THE STRUCTURE, PERSONNEL, AND FACILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS ARE REVIEWED. A SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN THE BODY OF THE REPORT IS PROVIDED IN THE FINAL SECTION.