These organizations have expressed concern about the reluctance of the Correctional Service of Canada to implement some of ECAP's major recommendations, such as the recommendation to undertake a pilot study of needle distribution in at least one prison. They suggest governments and prison systems have a legal obligation to protect prisoners against contracting HIV/AIDS and address the issue of potential liability for not providing condoms, bleach, and sterile needles and the resulting transmission of HIV/AIDS in prisons. Activities have been undertaken to research legal and ethical issues raised by HIV/AIDS in prisons, conduct national and international meetings on HIV/AIDS in prisons, and evaluate the use of sterile needles and syringes by prisoners. The history of the response to HIV/AIDS in prisons is reviewed, relevant new developments are considered, and moral and legal responsibilities of prison systems are discussed. The focus of new developments is on HIV transmission, hepatitis C, legal actions by prisoners, needle exchange, and methadone maintenance. Recommendations for action are offered to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in prisons. Supplemental information on prisoner exposure to HIV/AIDS and associated legal and ethical issues is appended. References