Placing prison structure into a historical and social context, the article examines its effects on father/child relations. This includes analysis of the gendered nature of the institution, its patriarchal/punitive structure, and its high-stress environment. The analysis is based on observations at three California youth prisons, survey data from 181 parolee-fathers, and in-depth interview data from a subset of 20 of the survey respondents. Because incarcerated men miss years of their families’ lives, many become alienated from their children and from the mothers of those children. In addition, high rates of incarceration in poor and minority communities contribute to increased poverty and other social problems. The article recommends that one of the primary goals of public policy should be to reduce the number of young fathers incarcerated. Fathers who do spend time in prison should have the opportunity to take parenting classes and to meet with paroled fathers and share their experiences. These programs can help fathers gain general background knowledge, master specific techniques, learn new behavior patterns, and make practical and realistic plans for building a relationship with their children. References