Pre- and post-training measures were administered to 20 incarcerated mothers in a treatment group and 20 in a control group. Bivariate analyses revealed no significant differences between scores of the two groups. However, direction of change scores fell in the desired direction on the "Nurturing Quiz" and on three subscales of the Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory: lack of empathy for the child, belief in corporal punishment, and reversing family roles. Direction of change on the Nurturing Quiz was statistically significant using the Wilcoxon non-parametric test. Hence, training appears to have a positive influence on parenting techniques, but self-esteem appears to be more resistant. The Virginia State Crime Commission in 1993 called for a new approach in treatment alternatives specifically to deal with low self-esteem that appears symptomatic of a dysfunctional lifestyle. The new approach might include: a system of family support services; provision for information access by families; special programs for incarcerated parents and their children; and coordination and special programs for children of incarcerated parents throughout the community such as in the schools, health services, and welfare services. Tables, references