Incarcerated women make up a large proportion of the female STD/HIV at-risk population. In order to inform intervention and prevention strategies, the authors test a framework of psychological antecedents to risky behaviors related to STD or HIV infection and examine the associations between the tested variables. Specifically, the authors examine the relationship between beliefs, attitudes, perceived behavioral control and norms, and behavioral intentions and how they interact with risk-taking behavior. Analysis of the data collected from 427 incarcerated women residing in 2 prisons in the southern United States revealed that beliefs about condoms were associated with favorable attitudes toward condom use. Favorable condom attitudes, in turn, were related to positive behavioral intentions to use condoms. Perceived behavioral control and norms were likewise associated with intentions. The results of the study lend support to the use of the theoretical framework for testing the efficacy and effectiveness of risk-reduction intervention programs for incarcerated women. Tables, figures, references