Although crime rates are down, incarceration rates have increased dramatically, and the largest percentage increase in prison populations is from recidivist offenders who have committed new crimes within 3 years of their previous release. This increase in recidivism is occurring while there is growing evidence that investments in education, training, and drug treatment programs in prison significantly reduce recidivism. Exposure to prison education programs must be sufficiently extensive for inmates to earn diplomas and certificates from their respective schools; the higher the level of education attained, the greater the degree of success. Inmate education must be highly outcome focused, extend for a specific time duration, have sufficient continuity, and comply with certain qualitative standards. A formal and accurate assessment of inmate academic needs should guide inmates into appropriate programs. Inmate drug abuse treatment programs should be highly structured and intensive and include drug education, cognitive and behavioral restructuring, recovery education, behavioral contracts and counseling, role-playing and modeling, aggression replacement training, 12-step methods, and relapse prevention. It should include an aftercare component that provides a continuation of treatment in the community. To ensure effective case management, changes in offender criminogenic factors must be monitored while the offender completes the program. Post-program client outcomes must be monitored to determine whether program changes are needed to improve desired outcomes. 47 references