THE REPORT OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE OPENS WITH BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE DEPARTMENT'S PLANNING ACTIVITIES AND A STATEMENT OF THE PRINCIPLE THAT GUIDE THOSE ACTIVITIES. CALIFORNIA'S EXISTING CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM -- FACILITIES, PERSONNEL, INMATE POPULATION, INMATE PROGRAMS, PROBLEMS -- IS DESCRIBED. ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO COPING WITH THE PROBLEM OF GROWING INMATE POPULATIONS ARE CONSIDERED, INCLUDING PLACEMENT OF STATE PRISONERS IN FACILITIES OF OTHER JURISDICTIONS AND USE OF COMMUNITY RELEASE CENTERS AND REGIONAL JAIL CAMPS. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW 400-BED INSTITUTION FOR FEMALE FELONS AND ADDICTS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AND FIVE 400-BED INSTITUTIONS (INCLUDING ONE PSYCHIATRIC FACILITY) FOR MALES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ARE PRESENTED. THE RECOMMENDATIONS COVER ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPTS, SITE SELECTION, PROGRAM CONCEPTS (PRODUCTIVE WORK, CONSTRUCTION WORK, 12-HOUR ACTIVITY DAY, VOCATIONAL TRAINING, ACADEMIC EDUCATION, COUNSELING, LEISURE ACTIVITIES, HEALTH CARE, RELIGION, INMATE CLASSIFICATION), AND INSTITUTIONAL PROGRAM EVALUATION. STUDIES FOR RENOVATING EXISTING FACILITIES ARE ALSO RECOMMENDED. THE PLANNERS' EMPHASIS ON SMALLER PRISON FACILITIES IS NOTED, TOGETHER WITH THE ROLE OF THE PRISON IN PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO INMATES WHO WANT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEM. (LKM)