The survey included all but three of the prisons and reformatories for men and women in the United States at that time. Military prisons and all Federal and State institutions were included. Road camps and prison farms were visited to the extent necessary to get an accurate picture of their educational programs. Following a discussion of the philosophy of prison education, the aims of education in content areas and for resocialization are covered. After assessing the situation in prison education on a national scale, problems in teaching basic literacy, English, history, and government are discussed. Extensive discussion is given to the role of vocational education in prison programs. Since prisoner education was found to be so limited, a model program of education is formulated. Low priority and inadequate financial support are identified as the primary reasons for generally weak prison education programs. Inmates constituted the educational staff in many of the prisons. The proposed philosophy of education for prisoners considers the inmate as an adult in need of education rather than as a criminal in need of reform. Inmate education is viewed as providing each inmate with opportunities to participate in fundamental academic, vocational, health, cultural, and social education. Breaking away from the organization and content of the public schools is urged, and first priority is given to the eradication of illiteracy. It is advised that while education in prisons should not be compulsory for the inmates, efforts should be made to interest them in the programs offered. Socializing the prisoner is viewed less as a theoretical than as a practical experience gained through inmate community organization. Cultural education is presented as preparing the inmate to make constructive use of leisure time. Appended are practical suggestions for the operation of prison libraries, a sample of a reading course prepared for a prisoner, the form used in a reading survey of Michigan State prisoners, a suggested list of textbooks, a discussion of intelligence and achievement tests, aids in visual instruction, aids in vocational education, and suggested readings in adult education.