Because of the transient nature of the inmate population, only five women participated in the study. Researchers asked the women 10 open-ended questions about their education histories, their relationships with jail staff, social supports outside the jail, and their experiences in the jail classroom. Three central themes were positive academic experiences in the women's early school years coupled with an acknowledgement of the positive influence of compassionate teachers at these early levels of schooling; a traumatic, life-changing event that impeded the women's continued ability to succeed at the middle school or high school levels; and an awareness of the learning environment in jail and its compatibility with their own comfort levels in education. Women who successfully completed their GED's had a strong degree of academic success early in their education histories. All five of the women has strong reading comprehension skills. This article advises that when students are in the classroom setting for such a short period of time, it is important that the teacher listen to them and allow them to test quickly on the subject areas they already know best before providing appropriate guidance in developing a plan to complete those subject areas that are not as strong. 20 references