The study reports on the Australian component of a comparative policy study, "Incarcerated Mothers and Children: Impact of Prison Environments," which investigated the impact of the prison environment on incarcerated mothers and their young children (including both mothers whose children live with them in custody and mothers who are separated from their children), in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and England. The study drew on data from policy analyses; interviews with policy makers, with inmate mothers, and with custodial and noncustodial staff; and observations within six women's prisons and their respective correctional authorities in the three Australian States. The study found that although inmate mothers need support from "significant others" within and outside the prison to cope with the dual roles of prisoner and mother, the custodial environment -- with its philosophy of incarceration, its mode of containment, and the prison rules and regulations -- runs counter to such needs. 2 tables and 20 references