The provision of HIV services, especially to the HIV-infected inmates, has ramifications not only for this vulnerable population, but to the larger community as well. These services can also have a profound effect on individual inmates. Findings show that communication between the partners involved is critical; all respondents mentioned communication as integral to the success of program activities, and that lack of communication resulted in barriers to successful programs. The emergence of the HIV epidemic necessitated a communication to address this issue and this population early on. Despite the clear need for such collaboration, grantees experienced breaks in communication on multiple levels in the form of a lack of communication, miscommunication, and/or an inability to communicate effectively. In other instances, grantees looked to the Department of Health to provide specific guidance on coordination issues, funding and resource allocation, and the role of each partner. Territorial issues and personality conflicts made effective communication challenging at times. Where relationships were stronger, communication between the entities was much more successful. Successful collaboration can result in effective services that help newly released HIV-infected clients maintain better health and avoid a return to high risk behaviors and criminal behavior. The model of collaboration presented here is important to developing and maintaining successful program activities that ultimately benefit inmates and the communities to which they return. A sample of 77 individuals provided qualitative data on collaboration and implementation. Figure, tables, references