The findings suggest that existing interventions with incarcerated mothers can be strengthened through targeting and cultivating functional coparenting alliances in families. Research indicates that when there is genuine support and solidarity in the family's coparenting alliance, children show better adjustment. When there is divisiveness, disparagement, contentiousness, and detachment, children are more likely to struggle. Equipping children with necessary socioemotional competencies when they are very young to help them circumvent problem trajectories is well documented by criminological literature. Helping families collectively and proactively support the ongoing development of important social and emotional skills in young children during their mothers' incarceration may have the longer-term payoff of reducing risk for delinquent and antisocial behavior. Planned efforts to promote communication and strengthen relations between the incarcerated mother and her child's caregiver can only be an effective approach for their children; this solidarity and unity most benefit the children. When cultivated prior to release, meaningful dialogues about the child and about the importance of co-caregiving cooperation and support for the children can empower mothers during their reentry into the community and their children's life. Figures, references