The institutions involved in the demonstration program were the Minnesota Correctional Facility for Women and the juvenile facility at Red Wing. The goals of the health education program were to teach inmates how to use health care resources more effectively, to give them a better understanding of self-help and preventive medicine along with the effect of lifestyles on health, and to train them to perform simple procedures and make better observations of clinical events in minor illnesses. During the initial planning stage, contact was made with the institution administrators, program professionals, and education staff to assess any existing health education efforts. Local community health resources were notified of the program. To establish interest, determine health priorities of inmates, and identify health problems in the institutions, a health curriculum committee composed of inmates was established, and an assessment of medical records was performed. The program was promoted by presenting program goals and objectives to the inmate population. Evaluation results and future plans are described.