The discussion notes that prisons will have an important influence on the future progression of the AIDS pandemic, at worst increasing the spread and at best providing vital risk-reduction advice and health education to groups of people who often have no contact with other agencies able to provide such information. Recommendations include the continual updating of all educational materials relating to HIV and AIDS, the use of HIV antibody tests only for prisoners who have voluntarily asked for a test, extra support and counseling for prisoners with positive test results, and the avoidance of segregation of inmates with HIV. Other recommendations include protecting the medical confidentiality of all prisoners, making condoms available to male prisoners, efforts to educate drug abusers about risk reduction, and adequate care for people with AIDS and related conditions. Appended chart showing measures used in prisons in other European nations, recommendations from the Council of Europe, a statement from a 1987 meeting sponsored by the World Health Organization, and 7 references.