The purpose of this research study was to discern, analyze, describe, and disseminate information about exemplary programs and the critical variables or strategies within program design that lead to reducing recidivism, increasing post-release employment, and increasing in-program success in vocational education programs located in adult-level state prisons. The document contains in-depth descriptions of 10 exemplary or successful programs currently operating throughout the country, as well as less detailed descriptions of a number of other exemplary programs. In addition, it contains a discussion of the program variables that seemed to account for the success of the program. The document is organized in four main sections: (1) introductory information which includes a description of the purposes of the project, how the programs were selected, and how the information is organized; (2) descriptions of exemplary programs which contain write-ups of each of the programs selected for in-depth study; (3) notes on additional successful programs--brief, three-to-four-page descriptions of other programs that were seriously considered for inclusion in the in-depth study of programs, but were not selected for various reasons; and (4) discussion of program variables that contributed to program success. (KC)