The rate of deaths per 1,000 inmates remained fairly constant until 1984 when it increased to almost twice the previous 8-year average, and this increase persisted into 1985. Of deaths, 97.2 percent were males, the highest concentration of deaths were among inmates 30 to 34 years old. Death rates were lowest for blacks, and similar for whites and Hispanics. Apparent growth in the overall death rates for all racial groups was due to the growth in the number of acquired immune deficiency syndrome-(AIDS)-related deaths in 1984 to 1985. The majority of deaths were due to natural causes, especially cardiac failure or AIDS-related disorders. The proportion of inmate AIDS-related deaths increased from 5 percent in 1981 to 58 percent in 1985. 8 tables.