At its inception, the program consisted of only a few credit courses in the humanities and social sciences offered to a select group of students at a single facility by the University of Victoria. These courses were extended to a second facility in 1973, and by 1976 a full 4-year degree was being offered at Matsqui Institution. The first degree was earned in that year, and many more were to follow in subsequent years. Each year, hundreds of male inmates enrolled in courses, although most students completed only 1 or 2 years of university before their transfer or release. By 1978, the program had grown to include a theater program, and inmate-students were very much involved in that program and active in the educational program as a whole. Results of a 1979 study documenting the very low recidivism rates among students led to the expansion of the program to two additional institutions. In 1983, budget cuts threatened to end the program, but wide public and media support of the program resulted in a compromise solution in which students were assessed some form of partial tuition. In 1985, Simon Fraser University took over the program; and activities have expanded to include curriculum development, research, and a community program for releasees. Because most of the documents reproduced here are from the media, they reflect primarily events that were deemed newsworthy, such as the prison riots and hostage incidents of 1976-1977, graduation ceremonies, and theatrical productions. Valedictory speeches are included to illustrate students' attitudes toward the program.