A 1997 survey of State and Federal inmates found that the majority of parents in prison were not married. Many mothers and some fathers lived in single-parent households at the time of their arrest. Most parents who were living with their children shared caregiving responsibilities with relatives and other household members. Other studies indicate that parental roles and responsibilities differ not only among families but also among children within the same family. Practitioners who provide or advocate parenting programs in prison believe that incarcerated parents' involvement with and attachment to their children can prevent intergenerational crime and that such programs can help inmates become better parents. Regarding the impact of the incarceration of a parent on a family, there are no published research reports that specifically document the financial impact of incarceration on families; however, several indicators show that many families are negatively affected. Also, the protection, care, and nurturance of inmates' children are primary concerns of inmates and their families. Issues include parental rights in maintaining custody of their children and outcomes for inmates' children who are placed in foster care. Emotional and social issues are also a concern. When asked about their children, incarcerated parents and children's custodial caregivers often mention a number of social and emotional problems, such as school difficulties, withdrawal, acting out behavior, and excessive crying. Inadequate understanding of and access to information about the criminal justice process present additional challenges to normal family functioning. Communication between inmates and family members provides the most concrete and visible strategy for managing separation and maintaining connections. The development of policies and strategies for improving inmate-family dynamics during incarceration must be based in research on inmates' family roles and relationships as well as family matters in the criminal justice system. Findings must be the basis for policy and program development and implementation. Based on such research, congressional bodies and State legislatures must take ownership of family-related incarceration issues as a matter of national interest and make inmates' family matters an integral part of the discussion on criminal justice and family policy. Issues to be considered are sentencing policies, alternatives to incarceration, prison locations, and funding for family programs and services. Also, leaders in child welfare, corrections, and professional associations must develop principles and national standards that pertain to parents in prison and their children. 57 references