The Florida Department of Corrections (DC) offers a variety of academic and vocational programs to a limited number of inmates. Funding is discretionary and provided through state general revenue, nine federal grants, and the Inmate Welfare Trust Fund. Profiles of typical Florida inmates indicate almost 75 percent of the inmate population test at a ninth-grade level or below and at or below basic literacy skills. Academic and vocational training for Florida inmates has yielded these positive results: a "return on investment" to taxpayers of $1.66 for every dollar spent; and fewer major discipline reports, higher earnings after release, more employment and staying off public assistance after release, and less recidivation. Educational services are also provided through Florida's five privatized correctional facilities and public education system. For Fiscal Year (FY) 1998-99, the DC served 32,187 inmates in academic, vocational, or special education programs at a cost of $28,407,704. For FY 1999-2000, $34,679,542 were appropriated. Innovative approaches such as distance learning show promise. Recommendations that support the DC's mission of preparing offenders for re-entry and release into society include: expand the use of the Corrections Distance Learning Network and target additional vocational programs toward DC youthful offender institutions. (21 endnotes) (YLB)