A practicum aimed to improve the basic literacy skills of juvenile delinquents in a county jail by using relevant experiences as the basis of learning. Two corollary aims were to increase the number of high school diplomas generated through the General Educational Development (GED) test, and prepare students to function in the outside world. Students shared relevant experiences with other students. From this discussion a vocabulary list was generated that was used for reading and spelling. Students then wrote out on paper what they had shared with the group and submitted it for review and correction. Students then revised the work before typing it on the computer. Students shared the completed writing with the teacher and fellow classmates. Students produced poetry, personal stories, letters to the judge, and GED essays. Outcomes of the practicum were positive. Although the correctional facility posed unique problems, objectives were met. Students produced original papers based on relevant experiences; six of the seven students passed the GED; and the data showed improvement in basic literacy skills. In addition, the practicum demonstrated that: (1) students in correctional facilities can take responsibility for their own learning; (2) literacy is based in culture and related through relevant experience; (3) technology is a motivating factor in student learning; and (4) peer tutoring is beneficial for tutors, tutees, and teachers. (Three tables of data are included; 34 references, 4 tables of test score data, survey instruments, and samples of student writing are attached.) (Author/RS)