The vital status of the ex-inmates in 1997 and 1998 was provided by the National Institute of Statistics and Economical Studies. For those who were successfully identified and who died during this period, causes of death were provided by the National Institute of Health and Medical Research, which is responsible for death certificate registration in France. Standard mortality ratios were used to compare the mortality experience of the ex-inmate cohort with that of the French general population. All of the ex-inmates were male and under 55 years old. Of the initial cohort of 1,305, ex-inmates' vital status after release was determined for 1,127 (86.4 percent). In addition, 12 deaths were excluded from analyses because they involved inmates who had been released from prison due to transfers for medical reasons. Nineteen other deaths occurred during the study period. Of the natural deaths (n=7), 1 was due to AIDS/HIV, 3 to a cardiovascular disease, 1 to a respiratory disease, and 2 to an alcoholic liver cirrhosis. Of the unnatural deaths (n=11), 4 were due to a drug overdose, 5 to accidents, and 2 to suicide. The cause of death for one ex-inmate was unknown. Compared with the general French population, the mortality rate for all causes was significantly higher among the ex-inmates, both in those aged 15-34 and 35-54 years old. Although these findings must be confirmed in a larger and more representative sample of prisoners in France, there is a clear need for an immediate reinforcement of health care and prevention for inmates, with attention to prerelease care and prevention programs. 3 tables and 9 references