Each participant attended one of six focus groups and completed an anonymous questionnaire. Audiotapes of the groups were transcribed and evaluated. Results revealed that a range of consensual and nonconsensual sexual activity occurs among inmates and between inmates and staff. Without official access to latex condoms, inmates use ineffective makeshift devices such as rubber gloves and used plastic wrap in their attempts to practice safer sex. Prisoners also shoot drugs intravenously with used syringes and pieces of pens and light bulbs. Findings indicated that the absence of harm-reduction devices in correctional institutions may create a greater risk of HIV transmission there than in the community. Therefore, officials should consider distributing risk-reduction devices to prisoners through anonymous methods. 25 references (Author abstract modified)