Current medical knowledge indicates that AIDS is not transmitted through casual contact. Current police safety guidelines focus on the narrow range of situations when police may contact the body fluids of an infected person, such as when a person has been wounded or first aid measures such as resuscitation are required. Regarding measures for addressing AIDS in a correctional setting, a number of factors dictate against the use of mass screening and quarantine. Education and training of criminal justice personnel and clients are the core of preventive strategies. As employers, criminal justice institutions must be aware of statutory protections for employees with AIDS, among the most important being protection from handicap discrimination. Potential tort liability for employers in the handling of AIDS-infected employees involves defamation, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Criminal justice institutions must address the following areas in developing preventive policies and strategies: a strong institutional commitment, a statement of philosophy and policy, a broad educational program, the adequacy of benefit plans, medical confidentiality, crisis intervention, and maintenance of current information on AIDS.