The child welfare system has the responsibility for protecting children and preserving families. It needs to give special attention to women in jail and their families, because jails provide an opportunity to reach families early in the criminal justice process. Three characteristics common to jailed women (drug abuse, long histories of victimization, and recurring criminal justice involvement) combine to put their children at increased risk of child abuse or neglect. However, factors that prevent the criminal justice and child welfare systems from working effectively with jailed women and their families include large caseloads, inadequate cooperation and information sharing among systems, inadequate facilities and training, and difficulties in promoting contact between jailed mothers and their children. However, both systems have a common interest in providing opportunities for mothers to plan for and help their children and encouraging jailed mothers to live sober lives and develop new skills. Therefore, criminal justice and child welfare systems should determine their shared commitments and take actions consistent with those commitments to produce better outcomes for jailed women, their children, and their families. 20 references