This study discusses the policy of denying welfare benefits to women released from prison after incarceration for a drug offence, and examines the impact that this has on their families. It suggests that this policy results in continuing economic hardship, family breakup and instability, negative outcomes for the children involved, and an inability to access resources that would help these women break their cycle of poverty. It also suggests that such policies have a disproportionate impact on women from racial minorities.