Currently, 1.4 million individuals are housed in America's State and Federal prisons, and more than 600,000 of them (approximately 1,600 a day) will be released to return to their communities and families each year. Over half of State and Federal inmates report having at least one minor child. The employment, physical and mental health, substance abuse, education, and housing issues that face returning inmates present challenges for their successful reintegration and their positive functioning as parents. One section of this chapter provides an overview of the characteristics of returning inmates, particularly those who are parents. It also briefly reviews how they are prepared by the corrections system for release back to their families and communities. Another section of the chapter considers the impact of parental incarceration on children and family functioning. The latter discussion focuses on structural changes in the family as a result of a parent's incarceration, the loss of financial support, and the maintenance of ties with children while the parent is imprisoned. A discussion of reentry challenges for the families of returning inmates addresses the reestablishment of relationships, housing and employment, access to public assistance, and navigating the corrections and child welfare systems as a returning inmate attempts to reunite with children who may have been placed under the care of child welfare agencies. 5 notes and 59 references