THE NEED FOR THE NEW SOUTH WALES GOVERNMENT TO DRAW UP A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES FOR THE ENTIRE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS IS DISCUSSED, AS IS THE IMPORTANCE OF A POSITIVE ATTITUDE AMONG GOVERNMENT LEADERS TOWARD DEVELOPING ALTERNATIVES TO IMPRISONMENT. QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED IN REVIEWING EXISTING LEGISLATION AS THE FIRST STEP IN SEEKING ALTERNATIVES TO IMPRISONMENT ARE ADDRESSED. THE PROBATION AND PAROLE OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION'S SUPPORT OF A DETERMINATE SENTENCING POLICY IS NOTED. SPECIFIC TYPES OF ALTERNATIVES TO IMPRISONMENT--DIVERSIONARY PROGRAMS, PRESENTENCE AND REMAND PROGRAMS, COURT DISCHARGE, FINES, PROBATION, HOSTELS, ATTENDANCE CENTERS, COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS--ARE REVIEWED, WITH REFERENCE TO THEIR STATUS IN NEW SOUTH WALES AND ELSEWHERE. THE BENEFITS OF PERFORMANCE-BASED FUNDING FOR PROBATION AND PAROLE SERVICES ARE NOTED. PROBATION IS CONCLUDED TO BE THE PRIMARY CONTROLLED ALTERNATIVE TO IMPRISONMENT AND SHOULD PLAY A CENTRAL ROLE IN THE FUNCTIONING OF MOST OTHER ALTERNATIVES. FUNDING OF THE NEW SOUTH WALES PROBATION AND PAROLE AGENCY TO PROVIDE STATEWIDE SERVICES, A COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDER PROGRAM, AND HALFWAY HOUSES IS RECOMMENDED.