A study investigated the educational levels of 196 inmates (85 percent male, most Caucasian, 5 ethnic groups represented) of the Cumberland County Jail (CCJ) in Portland, Maine, using a self-perception instrument and the results of the Tests of Applied Literacy Skills. Information was obtained regarding gender, age, recidivism, highest level of educational attainment, special education services received and perceived, and intent to pursue a General Educational Development (GED) diploma. In addition, information about how this population performed in a test was compared to that of the national prison population reported in the National Adult Literacy Survey (NALS). The results demonstrate that, although CCJ inmates usually rated their abilities as high and they performed as well as or better than national levels for incarcerated populations, they did not demonstrate proficiency levels that would enable them to achieve greater social or economic success. More than one-fourth of the sample reported known learning disabilities or difficulties. Although nearly one-third indicated that they would like to pursue a GED, most of those inmates said they would need tutorial or remedial services first. (The study report contains 15 references, the survey instrument, 3 tables and 8 figures illustrating survey results, and two figures providing information on the NALS.) (Author/KC)