A detailed account of the establishment of an educational program at Marin County Jail, along with background information, is provided in the document. A discussion of inmate educational programs throughout the country examines inmate needs, facilities, staffing, and funding. Marin County school system interaction with penal institutions, its law enforcement agencies, and county jail are examined, and information gathered on visits to prison educational and vocational programs in local proximity is discussed. Results of an educational survey of Marin County Jail inmates, program goals and philosophy, program establishment, and educational operations are examined. Reactions to the program were generally favorable. The proposal submitted to Marin County Board of Education to establish the jail program, an on-site evaluation report to the Marin County Superintendent of Schools, a report describing the program to the California State legislature, educational and vocational materials, and a bibliography of 27 titles are appended. It is stated that in the three month trial period of the program, 50 inmates had enrolled in the education program, with 17 working toward GED certificates and four having completed the GED requirements. The program has been approved for the 1974-75 year. (LH)