A study researched the existence of established Adult Basic Education (ABE) curricula for incarcerated adult inmate/students in state correctional education programs, specifically the functionally illiterate. All 50 State Departments of Corrections were surveyed by questionnaire; 44 responded. ABE was a basis for curricula according to 37.6% of the states' responses. Prison population tended to be a factor in frequency of ABE curricula. In seven of eight states where prison population was 2,000-10,000, ABE was the basis or incorporated as a basis. Only 5 of 12 states where prison population was below 2,000 incorporated ABE. Data indicated that 28 of 38 states with a curriculum listed the average educational achievement score range between fifth and seventh grade level; 32 states specified below the seventh grade level. State-appropriated academic budget seemed to have direct bearing on the curriculum basis. States with budgets of $1 million or more were able to develop ABE-based curricula. Results supported the null hypothesis that there do not exist, nationwide, established ABE curricula for the functionally illiterate adult inmate/students attending regular academic school in state correctional institutions. (YLB)