THE PURPOSE OF THE MASTER PLAN IS TO PROVIDE LONG-TERM DIRECTION TO THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM AND TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION AMONG ITS COMPONENTS. THE AGENCIES INVOLVED IN DEVELOPING THE PLAN ARE IDENTIFIED. A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF CORRECTIONS ADMINISTRATION IN NEW JERSEY INCLUDES CHARTS INDICATING THE PROPORTIONS OF OFFENDERS ASSIGNED TO PAROLE, PROBATION, AND COUNTY AND STATE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES. FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE SIZE OF CORRECTIONAL POPULATIONS ARE OUTLINED. STATISTICS ON NEW JERSEY'S 'CORRECTIONAL CATCHMENT' POPULATION (MALES IN THEIR 20'S), STATE INSTITUTION ADMISSION RATES, AND AVERAGE LENGTH OF PRISON STAY ARE PRESENTED AND DISCUSSED. THE EXTENT OF OVERCROWDING IN NEW JERSEY'S PRISONS IS ASSESSED. FUTURE PRISON POPULATIONS ARE PREDICTED GIVEN THE CONTINUATION OF EXISTING SENTENCING AND PAROLE PRACTICES AND GIVEN INTRODUCTION OF STRICTER SENTENCING POLICIES. THE MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE MASTER PLAN, INCLUDING THOSE PERTAINING TO SENTENCING AND PAROLE, LOCAL CORRECTIONS, AND CONSTRUCTION OF NEW STATE INSTITUTIONS, ARE OUTLINED. THE ADVANTAGES, COSTS, AND OUTCOMES TO BE EXPECTED FROM IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE SUMMARIZED. SEE NCJ-54180 FOR THE MASTER PLAN. (LKM)