CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION (COMMUNITY AND JUNIOR COLLEGES, POSTSECONDARY VOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL SCHOOLS, 4-YEAR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES) ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY INVOLVED IN PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR INMATES. WHILE EACH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM IS UNIQUE, ALL PROGRAMS SHARE THE COMMON GOAL OF OFFERING INMATES A CHANCE TO ESTABLISH NEW PERSONAL AND SOCIAL CONTACTS, TO EXAMINE ALTERNATIVE LIFE STYLES, AND TO ACQUIRE EDUCATION AND TRAINING CREDENTIALS THAT ENHANCE JOB OPPORTUNITIES. SEVERAL FEDERALLY FUNDED DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS HAVE ENCOURAGED SUCH ACTIVITIES. IN 1975 IN FEDERAL PRISONS ALONE, 3,000 FEDERAL PRISONERS ENROLLED IN COLLEGE COURSES; 158 2-YEAR, 19 BACCALAUREATE, AND 2 MASTER'S DEGREES WERE EARNED. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT BETWEEN 1 AND 5 PERCENT OF ALL PRISONERS IN THE UNITED STATES ARE ENROLLED IN SOME FORM OF HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAM. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--LKM)