A national survey of 305 major Federal and State correctional institutions was conducted to determine the extent of postsecondary education programs in those institutions. At the time of the study 210,183 men and women were confined in the institutions surveyed. To assure 100% response, the investigators contacted the education directors, assistant superintendents, or superintendents of most of the institutions by long distance telephone. Although the data showed a tremendous growth in number of classes available and number of students taking part in them, only 5% to 6% of the populations of the surveyed institutions were involved in higher education classes. It was found that 71% of the institutions offered postsecondary courses. Of those institutions, 54% had part-time programs, 24% full-time, and 22% a combination of part-time and full-time. Other questions related to types of certificates or degrees granted, when the program started, whether the institution granted study release time, and further plans for postsecondary education. The investigators made recommendations related to ongoing evaluation, innovations, followthrough supportive services for students who have left prison, cooperation between university and correctional personnel, publicity about the educational programs, and adaptation of effective programs to other institutions. The recommendations are included and an appendix contains a summary of compiled responses to the questionnaire items. (LMS)