Although most research has focused on male inmates, female offenders, both incarcerated and under noncustodial regimens, are the fastest growing group infected with HIV. This chapter outlines factors that are driving the increased threat to women. Demographic, epidemiological, and social determinants are identified and discussed. Unique problems faced by women offenders are also addressed. A theoretical discussion provides suggestions for effective interventions. Most of the HIV treatment regimens include two components. The first involves the use of prophylactic drugs to prevent and treat opportunistic infections. The second component is the use of antiviral drugs to reduce replication of the virus. Most recent increases in life span have been due to advances in prophylactic drugs. The most commonly used theoretical models have difficulty encompassing the needs and experiences of women of color, those most likely to be in correctional facilities. The theoretical models fail to take into account the effect of socioeconomic factors and the influence of gender and ethnicity. Over the past few years, tremendous strides have been made in providing health care to incarcerated populations who are HIV positive; however, a glaring deficiency has been the lack of postrelease treatment. A new initiative funded by the Centers for Disease Control and the Health Resources and Services Administration is addressing this problem. This initiative, the Corrections Demonstration Project, is a longitudinal, multistate, multijurisdictional program that promotes continuity of care for HIV-positive and at-risk inmates and recent releases from correctional facilities. Racial, ethnic, and linguistic minorities and women are the primary targets of the program. 85 references