The school experiences of African American male inmates are explored. Nine African American male inmates, ranging in age from 21 to 55, were interviewed regarding their schooling experiences. Interviews were recorded and transcribed to create a text, and themes were uncovered. Themes that describe their schooling experiences were identified. Four themes were: (1) "We don't like being embarrassed"; (2) "Feelin' like we're on the outside peepin' in"; (3) "We want to be cared about"; and (4) "They were afraid of us, and we were afraid of them." The final theme drew the preceding four into an essential understanding of the lived experience of these inmates: "It just couldn't have been our school." This was a phrase used by one participant as he described his experiences at a predominantly Hispanic school. These inmates felt that they did not belong to their schools, and the schools did not belong to them. What was learned from the inmates is summarized in the final chapter and areas for additional research are suggested. (Contains 160 references.) (SLD)