The jail annex opened in 1976 contains the operating console for a closed circuit radio and television system that can broadcast to all cellblocks. This system is used as the basis for a media-based education program. At first, inmates were used as station personnel, and later these students were enrolled in a communications class that emphasizes personal development and presentation of self through training in speech, writing, and broadcasting. The media-based approach is also used in the classroom area to present educational tapes, prerecorded special events, and entertainment material taped off the air. Inmates are involved in the production and presentation of all material. Integrated into the whole system of educational programs is the PLATO Computer Assisted Instructional System (CAI), an interactive computer system with four component categories: records, communications, courses, and noninstructional activities. During the first year of the CAI project, 825 students signed on for the courses and were logged for over 2,800 hours. Gain scores were noted for those using the Basic Skills Program, which covered vocabulary skills, reading, spelling, arithmetic computation, and arithmetic problemsolving. The cooperative effort involved in the educational program develops social skills not possible in a traditional school environment that uses lecture and passive listening. Three references are listed.