The data for this study were obtained from research into the impact of the Department of Social Services Social Fund on the clients and work of the probation service. Data relevant to this study were the by-product of that research. The database contained a significant subgroup of 43 female partners of probation clients whose requests for help revealed a number of significant problems. The problems of women partners of inmates are compounded by society's sex-role stereotyping that views the women partners of offenders as unworthy of help because of their association with the offender and their failure to prevent his criminal activity. Although the needs of inmates' women partners often come to the attention of the probation service, the probation service is not geared to service their needs. Still, by responding to the needs of prisoners' families so as to establish constructive relationships with offenders, the probation service can offer help to women partners of clients. The problems of women partners consist of long and expensive journeys to visit their men in prison, financial hardship, isolation, and an absence of agency social services designed to meet their needs. 38 references