A study was conducted to identify and describe programmatic variables contributing to effective, successful, and innovative vocational education programs in Southeastern correctional institutions. Study sites were selected according to how effectively they promoted in-program success and post-release employment. Data was collected through interviews in twenty-one Southeastern adult and juvenile correctional institutions with program directors, participants (inmates/offenders), instructors, employers, and wardens/superintendents. Variables found to contribute to and to be correlated with successful programs were course development, instruction, inmate characteristics/perceptions, facilities/equipment, instructor characteristics, evaluation, agency cooperation, in-take and release procedures, policy, and support services. Several findings concerning program success were (1) that exemplary programs utilized systems of course and program development which were coordinated with other agencies and empoloyed quantitative data for determining program modification; (2) that instructional methods found to contribute to successful programs included individualized instruction, "live" work and "hands-on" experience, and multi-media classroom instruction; and (3) that the majority of programs utilized support services to supplement their regular instructional programs, e.g., psychological and vocational counseling, tutoring, job placement services. (The key variables checklist is appended.) (CSS)