The aim of the present study was to explore the educational background of the total population of inmates in Norwegian prisons. The sample consisted of all 3 289 inmates over 18 years of age in Norwegian prisons. The response rate was 71.1 percent. Ninety four percent of the participants were men and mean age was 35 years. A questionnaire containing questions about age, gender and level of completed education was distributed to the participants. The results revealed that compared to the general population, prison inmates in Norway have an educational level that is similar to the educational level of the general population between 1980 and 1990. The percentage of prison inmates with primary and lower secondary education as their highest attained educational level is almost the double of the general population. Further, the percentage of inmates who have completed upper secondary education and higher education is highest among the older age groups. Although almost one third of the prison inmates report that they have completed vocational education, the percentage of prison inmates who have completed vocational education is lowest among the youngest inmates. (Contains 3 tables.)