Following incarceration, families are faced with a lack of information, the need to explain and deal with the missing parent's situation, and the resulting loneliness and emotional deprivation of the spouse and children. The loss of income occasioned by the incarceration often results in unpaid bills, financial hardship, and reliance on extended family or public assistance. The effect of the incarceration on the self-image of children can be devastating, often resulting in school problems, increased aggression, and other behavioral problems. Like death, incarceration often is followed by mourning and grief, with their attendant feelings of anger, guilt, and depression. To help families cope with these problems, innovative programs within and outside prisons have been developed. These include communication and stress management workshops, parent training and child development classes, crisis intervention programs, and transportation and support services. Further, establishment of prison family relations offices could help families deal with the impact of incarceration by providing information, counseling, visitation, and community support services. 47 footnotes.