The anti-education bias of the population and the requirements of life in prison constrain the inmates involved in education. The nature of prisons as total institutions containing involuntary, problematic populations further constricts the possibilities for education inside corrections. The correctional educator, much more than others, must be aware of these realities and the constraints they place on his or her students. Because of the nature of life inside such an institution, the correctional educator must also understand the fundamental requirement for security, and must be more honest with himself or herself in order to be effective. (Author abstract)