Female inmates have few options for transfer to locations near family and friends. Limited facilities often subject inmates to rules and conditions geared toward the highest security classification regardless of the inmate's actual classification. This multilevel security arrangement also poses potential threats to children of inmates and is a deterrent to their being accepted by institutions. Further, a heavy emphasis on security during childbirth can create an unnecessary invasion of privacy and an insensitive attitude toward the mother. At present, no official policy exists concerning the children of offenders, and there is an almost total lack of facilities able to accept women offenders and their children. Finally, the system appears to prejudicially incarcerate many women who are not a danger to society and who could be handled outside the penal system. 80 footnotes and approximately 200 readings and references.