It proved difficult to execute the study as designed, and the data collected were neither as numerous nor as complete as originally planned. Although it was possible to identify several variables that predict a former inmate's life satisfaction and encounters with the law, the evidence did not clearly demonstrate that particular aspects of a prison vocational education program have an effect on the postrelease experiences of former inmates. The generally negative findings of this study do not suggest that vocational training in prison is ineffective. Rather, they suggest that researchers do not know what features of the training make it more or less effective. Extensive tables and 10 references are given. Five appendixes contain study-related materials. (Author abstract modified)