Subjects in the study were 16 inmate mothers in the Middle Georgia Correctional Institution Women's Unit, their 32 dependent children, and 16 subsequent caregivers living in DeKalb and Fulton counties. Data analysis consisted of calculating frequencies and percentages for demographic data, situational data, and HOME scores. The majority of the inmate mothers were black, under 30 years-old, and single parents. Half were working at the time of arrest at low-paying jobs, and a small percentage were unemployed. The majority were classified as violent offenders and were serving 10-to 20-year sentences. The majority had no prior arrests or incarcerations. Most of the mothers believed their children acted no differently toward them after incarceration, and only a small percentage of the mothers and caregivers believed that the children were not doing well in school. None of the mothers believed that prison policies promoted family attachments or prepared them for mothering functions after release. All of the mothers and caregivers favored having a child advocate to work with inmate families, the prison system, and the human service agencies. About half the mothers felt that preschool children should be allowed to stay with their inmate mothers. Some implications of the findings are discussed, and recommendations for further research are offered. Tabular data are provided, and materials and instruments used in the study are appended. About 150 references are listed. (Author summary modified)