Estimates say that nearly 30 percent of adults in the United States have a criminal record--roughly 65 million individuals. While not all of them have served a jail or prison sentence, they nonetheless face barriers to gainful employment due to the stigma of a record, as well as generally lower levels of education and job training. The overall educational attainment of inmates and the formerly incarcerated is considerably below that of the general population--especially at the postsecondary level. In 2004, about half of the nation's adults had at least some college education--but less than 20 percent of state and federal prisoners did. The Southern Regional Education Board's (SREB's) "Challenge to Lead" Goals for Education call for improving two- and four-year degree and postsecondary certificate completion rates. This "Focus" report looks at adults with criminal records as an underserved population who might benefit greatly from educational services, as would the states where they live. (Contains 2 tables.)