The 14 studies conducted in prisons since 1980 have found that male inmates are more likely to have engaged in intravenous drug abuse than in homosexual behavior. Few studies focus on the high-risk behaviors of female inmates. Overall, however, findings consistently show that about one-third of prisoners inject themselves while in prison and that homosexual activity is less prevalent than intravenous drug abuse. Tattooing is another inmate activity that raises the risk of AIDS transmission. Other studies have also found that HIV-infected prisoners are more likely to inject and share needles in prison than non-infected inmates and those unaware of their HIV antibody status. That data show clearly that Australian prisons are risky places and that specific actions are needed to prevent HIV and AIDS transmission in correctional facilities. Appended tables and 45 references