HIV rates are 14 times higher in the inmate population than the general United States population. Thirteen to 19 percent of people living with HIV in the general population have been incarcerated at some time. A report by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) identified high rates of HIV infection among the incarcerated and substantial barriers, including a lack of resources to address HIV and AIDS within correctional facilities. These findings show a need for better collaboration between correctional institutions and community planning bodies. There are many ties that connect the community with correctional institutions. The lack of disease prevention programs in correctional facilities may contribute to the transmission of communicable diseases outside of prison. The community planning process calls for the active involvement of representatives from communities infected and affected, State and local health departments, State and local education agencies, representatives of key non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders providing prevention and services within the jurisdiction. The plan is designed to be the driving force in the health departments’ allocation of prevention resources throughout the communities they serve. The key components of the community planning group’s plan should include epidemiological profile, community services assessment, prioritized target populations, appropriate science-based prevention activities/interventions, and letters of concurrence/concurrence with reservations/non-concurrence. The incarcerated population should be considered at each step in the planning process. Interventions designed to address the “soon-to-be-released” and “incarcerated” HIV populations should be considered for inclusion in the comprehensive plan. 5 references