A Developmental Analysis of Female Prisoners' Conceptions of Aids

This article examines female prisoners' reasoning about the causes and transmission of AIDS. At two women's prisons in Texas, 113 inmates were administered the Concepts of AIDS Protocol, an AIDS information test, and an acceptance of people with AIDS questionnaire. The majority of subjects evidenced a middle developmental level of understanding AIDS, with Whites scoring higher than Blacks or Hispanics. Subjects' developmental level of understanding AIDS was moderately correlated with their scores on the AIDS information test, acceptance of people with AIDS, IQ, and level of education. These results were similar to earlier findings with male prisoners. Issues related to AIDS education in prisons are discussed.