Educational participants need to identify their learning styles and be involved in active learning processes. Many correctional personnel feel their professional performance is tied to academic certification and want more than an associate's or a bachelor's degree. On the other hand, many correctional personnel want to deal only with concrete issues related to the inmate population and do not believe academic education is necessary. The divergence between higher education and inservice training needs to be addressed by correctional administrators in order to promote career development and bridge the gap between theory (higher education) and practice (inservice training). Some universities have programs that combine classroom and practical experience. Adult learning theories are discussed, along with the content, design, and marketing of skill-building academic and training programs for correctional officers. An attachment contains a list of course offerings at one correctional training academy for a holistic health program. 6 references