This first of two volumes reporting a study of employment and training programs for adult felony offenders addresses three study objectives. They are to recommend (1) ways of more effectively coordinating training and employment programs for offenders; (2) methods for program planning, funding, and evaluating; and (3) methods for providing offenders greater access to the labor market. The first two sections summarize major findings and conclusions and outline methodology. Section 3 describes the offender population; reviews characteristics of felony offenders on probation, parole, and in institutions; and discusses impediments to employment and importance of employment in habilitation. Section 4 analyzes problems common to all components of the criminal justice system. Section 5 assesses two major institution training and work programs--Prison Education and Institutional Industries. Section 6 discusses programs and services related to preparing a resident for release into the community. Section 7 reviews funding and operations of community programs, coordination activities, and obstacles to coordination. Section 8 overviews current coordination and planning problems. Section 9 discusses and assesses program evaluation methods. Recommendations are made at the end of each section. Appendixes, amounting to one-half of the volume, contain program data tables, examples of coordination methods, glossary of acronyms, and program and client questionnaires. (YLB)