The first 10 years of operation of the college-in-prison program in Massachussetts and characteristics of participating offenders were assessed. College credit courses have been offered to inmates in adult corrections facilities by The University of Massachusetts at Boston through a program called the Higher Education Prison Program (HEPP). Analysis of HEPP enrollees between 1973 and 1982 produced three types of research products: (1) a trend analysis of enrollment; (2) patterns of program participation and performance; and (3) characteristics of the 676 male participants. Enrollment peaked in 1977 and declined after that time. HEPP offered a broad-based curriculum consisting of 97 courses during the first 10 years. About 40% of the participants entered the program 2 to 3 years prior to anticipated or actual release from prison. Another 20% entered the program when they had at least 10 or more years to serve (including life sentences) before they were parole eligible. HEPP participants could be distinguished from the average prison resident by age, educational background, occupation, and veteran status. Participants tended to be slightly older and/or better educated. Inmates who entered prison with a high school degree or more education tended to perform better in HEPP than other participants. Appendices give breakdowns of eligibility for the college program and completion of preparation, and characteristics of offenders in HEPP. (Author/SW)