Ten studies of prison college programs and postrelease recidivism indicate a strong relationship between college education and reduced recidivism, while four studies show no relationship. Other recent studies of vocational programs in prison demonstrate lower recidivism rates, lower parole revocation rates, better postrelease employment patterns, and better institutional disciplinary records for participants compared to nonparticipants. A further review of the literature suggests that programs separate from the rest of the prison routine are most likely to succeed, programs that identify and attract a target audience are likely to achieve intended objectives, and vocational programs that provide marketable skills are likely to achieve their objectives. Research also suggests that stable predictors of recidivism include age at first arrest, age upon release, ethnicity, gender, living arrangements, family ties, current income, and history of drug and alcohol abuse. The report considers the effects of prison population control strategies on prison education and the effects of academic and vocational program participation on inmate misconduct and reincarceration. An appendix contains supplemental data on the impact of precollege education programs in prisons. References and tables