Some women's prisons in the United Statesoffer classes for college credit.But when the women gain freedom,they do not have much chanceto continue their education.They must follow the terms of their parole.They live outside prison during that period,but still have to obey government rules.They usually have to find work and a place to live.In two thousand, a woman named Barbara Martinsonsstarted a program to help the former prisoners.She established the Collegeand Community Fellowship, or CCF.Ms. Martinsons taughtat Manhattan Marymount College in New York City.And she has taught college coursesat a New York state women's prison.She believes that women should get higher education.She also believes freed prisonersshould continue that education.CCF provides advice to former prisoners.It also helps them gain admission to college.That process can be very difficult for anyone,let alone a person with a prison record.The group also provides financial aidto members attending college.Today, CCF Fellows, as members are called,have earned college degrees,including masters' degrees and a doctorate.About seventy percent of those taking partin the program work full-time while studying.Nationally, one in three womenwho has been in prison returns to jailfor committing crimes.Or, they have violated the terms of their parole.By comparison, almost no CCF fellows go back to jail.A Christian minister heads CCF.The Reverend Vivian Nixon once spent prison timefor falsifying documents.She says the group helps people reclaim the goalsthey had for their lives before going to jail.VIVIAN NIXON: "What was missing for me,and what I think was missing in the world,was an organization that tapped intowhat was left of people's hopes and dreams,that said it is okay for you to want to be something.You don't have to just accept any job,you know, at a fast-food restaurant or cleaning up a hotel,or cleaning up the streets of New York City.You can still have desires and goals,and we are going to help you meet those desires and goals."The group holds meetings for abouttwo hundred seventy people who take part.There are talks about subjects like financeand developing a career, and there is a social hour.Selina Fulford spoke to a recent meeting.Ms. Fulford has earned a master's degreeand is working on her second.She is now an adjunct professorat the College of New Rochelle.Vivian Nixon says that society in generalis happiest when the women do not go back to jail.But she says her greatest hopeis that CCF's members are setting high goalsfor themselves and their children.And that's the VOA Special English Education Report,written by Carolyn Weaver.