THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS (CDC) OPERATES 12 MAJOR INSTITUTIONS. TEN OF THESE FACILITIES ARE FOR ADULT MALE FELONS. THEY RANGE FROM TIGHTLY CONTROLLED SECURITY PRISONS (SUCH AS SAN QUENTIN) TO LOW SECURITY UNITS (SUCH AS THE CALIFORNIA INSTITUTION FOR MEN AT CHINO OR CALIFORNIA CORRECTIONAL CENTER AT SUSANVILLE). THE CALIFORNIA REHABILITATION CENTER AT CORONA IS THE STATE'S FACILITY FOR TREATMENT AND CONTROL OF NARCOTICS ADDICTS AND THE CALIFORNIA INSTITUTION FOR WOMEN IS THE STATE'S ONLY FACILITY FOR ADULT FEMALE FELONS. ALTHOUGH PROGRAM AND SECURITY AT THE 12 INSTITUTIONS ARE GEARED TO THE PARTICULAR NEEDS OF VARIOUS TYPES OF INMATES, THEY ALL HAVE INDUSTRIES WHICH PROVIDE INMATES WITH CONSTRUCTIVE ACTIVITY AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN NEW JOB SKILLS, VOCATIONAL TRAINING, ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION FROM LITERACY CLASSES THROUGH JUNIOR COLLEGE, AND GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING. CDC ALSO OPERATES 19 CONSERVATION CAMPS IN THE STATE'S FOREST AND BRUSH LANDS. THE PAROLE AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUPERVISION OF ABOUT 16,000 PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN RELEASED FROM STATE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES. THE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYS ABOUT 8,500 PERSONS IN A WIDE RANGE OF TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL JOB CATEGORIES. THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR 1978-79 FISCAL YEAR IS $250 MILLION. CRITICAL ISSUES OF CONCERN TO THE DEPARTMENT ARE THE INCREASING PRISON POPULATION, VIOLENCE AND SECURITY, AND EMPLOYEE CONCERNS (EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE RELATIONS, STAFF TRAINING, AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY). IN ADDITION, STAFF AND INMATE CHARACTERISTICS ARE PROFILED. ABOUT 30 PERCENT OF THE PRISON POPULATION ARE ENROLLED IN ACADEMIC PROGRAMS RUN BY THE INSTITUTIONS. ENROLLMENT IN VOCATIONAL EDUCATION FOR 1977-78 APPROXIMATED 2,203 STUDENTS WITH 2,117 VOCATIONAL CERTIFICATES OF ACHIEVEMENT ISSUED. ALSO DISCUSSED ARE HEALTH SERVICES, RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES, RECREATION, ACTIVITY GROUPS, COUNSELING PROGRAMS, VISITING PROGRAMS, AND PRERELEASE PROGRAMS. A MAP AND DETAILED DATA ABOUT EACH CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IN THE STATE ARE PROVIDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--PRG)