The study format consisted of interviews with the women who were confined in a midwestern county jail located in a large metropolitan city. It describes the women's family characteristics and examines parenting roles and responsibilities, particularly child care. Also presented are their feelings about separation and visits and their views on the factors that influence such visits during incarceration. Throughout the study the results are compared with findings from earlier studies and with general themes in the literature on family and corrections. Recommendations for policies and programs deal with alternatives to incarceration, strategies to prevent repeated crimes, and the need for family-oriented policies in jails and prisons. Basic information should also be provided about visiting with children, reasons for maintaining contact with children, answering questions about a mother's absence, and relationships with the childrens' caretakers. 22 references (Author abstract modified)