Based upon the Mother-Infant Literacy Knowledge (MILK) program--in which imprisoned mothers are allowed to care for their children until they are one year old--a study investigated how placing parents in a print rich environment affects parental ability to provide their children with book oriented experiences. The study was conducted in a self-contained nursery section of the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, New York's maximum security prison for women. The mothers, 17 women with an average education of eleventh grade, attended six one-hour classes on how and why to provide a print rich environment for their children, featuring videotapes, supportive books and modeling activities. After the classes ended, mothers were interviewed monthly about their literacy behaviors, and were given a book after each interview. Mothers shared books regularly with their children as part of the program, and also obtained books to read independently of the study. Both mothers and children clearly enjoyed book sharing, and mothers continued the reading activities once they returned to their communities. As a result of the program the mothers gained knowledge concerning (1) their responsibility for developing literacy in their children, (2) their ability to mediate positive change, (3) the value of literacy, (4) their own literacy skills, and (5) the improvement of reading skills. The children learned that mothers nurture the mind as well as the body, that books can be owned, and that literacy development experiences are positive. (Summaries of interviews with mothers are included.) (SKC)