The impact of correctional education (CE) on inmates' postrelease behavior was examined in a longitudinal study of recidivism in Maryland (which has a medium-sized prison population), Minnesota (which has a small prison population), and Ohio (which has a large prison population). The study sample consisted of 3,170 individuals in the release cohorts from the three states during 1997 and 1998. Of those individuals, 1,373 (43.3%) had participated in CE and 1,797 (56.7%) had not. Data were collected through an inmate prerelease survey, and educational/institutional data collection form, and a parole/release officer survey. Together, the surveys provided information about the release cohort members' socioeconomic characteristics, criminal behavior, family life, educational experiences, work history, postrelease employment and wage patterns, and postrelease behavior (recidivism). Inmates who participated in CE while incarcerated showed lower rates of recidivism after 3 years. In each state, the three measures of recidivism (rearrest, reconviction, and reincarceration) were significantly lower among those who had participated in correctional education. The aggregate recidivism data for all CE participants versus nonparticipants in all three states were as follows: rearrest, 48% versus 57%; reconviction, 27% versus 35%; and reincarceration, 21% versus 31%. In all 3 years of the study, CE participants earned higher wages than did nonparticipants. Background information on correctional services and CE programs in Maryland, Minnesota, and Ohio is appended. (Contains 15 references.) (MN)