The first section provides a graphic overview of the Federal system, including a flow chart of Federal processing in 1992 and a figure that describes the attrition of suspects from prosecutorial review to sentencing, incarceration, and release. The first chapter describes decisions taken by Federal prosecutors in screening criminal matters and the characteristics of cases prosecuted or declined. Chapter 2 provides information on pretrial release, detention, and defendant conduct while awaiting trial. This is followed by a chapter that describes the actions of U.S. district courts in adjudicating guilt or innocence; characteristics of offenses and convicted offenders are described. Chapter 4 describes sentencing decisions and offense and offender characteristics, followed by a chapter that addresses corrections. The latter chapter provides data on the time served in prison; prisoner movements into and out of Federal prison; and the results of supervision under probation, parole, or supervised release. Extensive figures and tables and a glossary