ON SEPTEMBER 25, 1979, THE GARDEN STATE CAMPUS OF MERCER COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE BEGAN ITS FIRST FALL SEMESTER. IN CONTRAST TO OTHER CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE STATE, EDUCATION IS NOT AN ADJUNCT TO A CUSTODIAL ROUTINE, BUT IS AT THE CORE OF THE ENTIRE CORRECTIONAL PROGRAM. EACH STUDENT-INMATE HAS A SCHEDULE DETERMINED BY THE EDUCATIONAL STAFF, AND STUDENTS ANSWER TO THE COLLEGE STAFF FOR THEIR BEHAVIOR AS WELL AS THEIR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT. THE CURRICULUM IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE AN ASSOCIATES DEGREE, VOCATIONAL TRAINING, COOPERATIVE EDUCATION, INTERPERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, TUTORING, DECISIONMAKING OPPORTUNITIES, FAMILY SUPPORT TRAINING, AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES. ALL STUDENTS PURSUE A LIBERAL ARTS DEGREE. VOCATIONAL TRAINING HAS BEGUN WITH DATA PROCESSING, ACCOUNTING, AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION. TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS AND SELF-INQUIRY COURSES ARE PROVIDED FOR INMATES' PERSONAL GROWTH. CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS MUST ADJUST TO ROUTINES AND RULES BUILT AROUND ACADEMIC SCHEDULES, AND FACULTY MEMBERS MUST LEARN ABOUT SECURITY. CLASSES BEGAN WITH 39 MALES AND 3 FEMALES FROM A NEARBY WOMEN'S CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION. SPRING SEMESTER ENROLLMENT IS PROJECTED AT 60 MALES AND 15 FEMALES. CLASSES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR CORRECTIONAL STAFF. ALL CAMPUS FACILITIES ARE LOCATED IN AN 18,000 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING. THE BASEMENT IS BEING CONVERTED TO CLASSROOMS, A FEMALE LOUNGE AND FACULTY OFFICES. THE FIRST FLOOR HAS A DAY ROOM AND A DORMITORY, WITH THE SECOND FLOOR HOUSING THE LIBRARY AND A DORMITORY. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES AND SEMINAR ROOMS ARE ON THE THIRD FLOOR. FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)