HIV/AIDS has become the leading health care problem within correctional facilities in the US (Brien and Beck, 1996). Since 1991, the number of HIV infected female inmates has increased by 69% and deaths due to AIDS has increased by 84%. Nationally, female offenders are often regarded as the “forgotten” population even though the profile of females entering prison mirrors the characteristics of women with the greatest risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. In 1991, the National Commission on AIDS investigated the problem of HIV/AIDS within correctional facilities and recommended the immediate assessment of the HIV education programs and the adequacy of health care delivery systems. In light of this recommendation, the focus of this study was to determine the HIV/AIDS knowledge level of female inmates and to assess the relationship between inmates’ knowledge of HIV/AIDS and their perceived level of self-efficacy with respect to risk taking behavior. Subjects were 428 female inmates within three prison units in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice System. Subjects completed a 30-item HIV/AIDS knowledge assessment (DiClemente, 1988) and a 15-item self-efficacy assessment (Torabi and Yarber, 1992). The self-efficacy assessment examined the inmate’s beliefs regarding the myths about transmission of HIV/AIDS (Factor 1), infection of HIV/AIDS (Factor 2), communication for prevention of HIV/AIDS (Factor 3), and methods for preventing HIV/AIDS (Factor 4). Of the 428 subjects who completed the questionnaires, only 18% reported having completed an HIV/AIDS course while in school. The most frequently reported sources of HIV/AIDS information were from HIV/AIDS brochures (35.7%), newspapers/magazines (39.3%), a prevention course taught in prison (37.6%), TV commercials (36.4%), and an HIV/AIDS infected friend (35.7%). The average score on the knowledge test was 26.89 with a standard deviation of 1.86. The mean self-efficacy score was 64.31 (out of 75 points) with a standard deviation of 7.80. Bivariate correlations were calculated using the Pearson-Product Moment Correlation technique to determine the relationships between inmates’ level of HIV/AIDS knowledge and their degree of self-efficacy. A significant relationship existed between the inmates’ overall HIV/AIDS knowledge score and the four factors included in the self-efficacy scale as well as their total self-efficacy regarding the prevention of HIV/AIDS. The high HIV/AIDS knowledge of the inmates served to be a positive predictor of the inmates’ self-efficacy scores. This reinforces the need for HIV/AIDS education for female inmates. If knowledge increases self-efficacy, the potential for risky behaviors associated with HIV/AIDS will be diminished. Keyword(s): disease prevention, health promotion