The 23 inmates, who were approximately 3 months from release, were generally optimistic about life after their release, but they recognized that they must avoid relationships with members of their prior social networks who supported attitudes and behavior associated with substance abuse, crime, or high-risk sexual behaviors; however, this was made difficult by the lack of formal or informal prosocial support prior to their release. Such social support is particularly important for the management of their HIV illness, in order to help them adhere to antiretroviral regimens and maintain abstinence from illicit substances. The inmates expressed concern about the availability of informal prosocial support because of their HIV status. The participants worried about disease disclosure to family and new prosocial friends, as well as their ability to develop intimate partnerships once others knew about their HIV. They were also concerned about their HIV status influencing options for housing and/or employment. The findings suggest that existing interventions could be further refined for this high-risk population. The results challenge professionals working with HIV-positive substance-involved prisoners to give attention to ways program participants may access, build, and strengthen prosocial support. Potential participants were approached by the research staff during clinical appointments at the North Carolina Department of Correction infectious diseases clinics. Seven of the 23 participants were women. Data were obtained through interviews conducted between August 2005 and January 2006. 39 references