This study examines the epidemiology and dynamics of HIV transmission in order to debunk a number of myths about AIDS that are related to criminal justice. The following misconceptions are refuted: 1) persons who work in the criminal justice system risk becoming infected with HIV as a result of the assaultive behavior of violent offenders; 2) female prostitutes are an important source of viral transmission in the United States; 3) female rape victims face a significant risk of becoming infected with HIV; 4) the AIDS virus is being transmitted with a high degree of regularity in prison; and 5) intravenous drug users (IVDU) will not modify their behavior to protect themselves from AIDS.
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