The results demonstrated that the sample of inmates was at least as knowledgeable about AIDS a the general population. While the data did not allow a correlation between individual inmate's drug use history with self-reported knowledge, the authors speculate that the high degree of awareness and significantly higher perceived risk of HIV transmission among inmates was due to the large number of intravenous drug users in that population. This confirms earlier studies that indicate a high level of AIDS knowledge among drug users. 2 tables and 17 references (Author abstract modified)