This book examines the history and experience of programs for children of inmates. Section 1 discusses parental ties, emphasizing bonding and the father's role. Section 2 describes prison nurseries, day care and children's centers, parenting classes, furloughs, family and conjugal visits, community facilities, visitation policies, support services, and penal colonies. Focusing on legal issues, Section 3 discusses the best interests of the child and liability. Section 4 indicates matters raised by child psychologists which program planners should consider and offers recommendations for program implementation and research. Section 5 provides a comprehensive table of types of programs for inmate parents and their children, including prison nurseries, overnight stays, family and conjugal visits, children's and day care centers, parenting classes, and furloughs. The table also indicates the availability of community facilities for mothers and children, number of female inmates surveyed, and lists the names and addresses of surveyed institutions and programs. Also provided in Section 5 are Section 4-1116 (Preserving Parental Relationships) of the Uniform Law Commissioners Model Sentencing and Corrections Act, a list of individuals contacted by survey or for expert opinion, and a bibliography of the literature concerning programs for incarcerated parents and children. (RH)