Dodgers Justin Turner: Santa's Little Helper ... Even In Jail

It sucks for kids when your mom is in jail -- but Dodgers star Justin Turner did a really cool thing this weekend ... helping the children of inmates celebrate the holidays ... and even handing out gifts.

Turner went to the L.A. County Jail in Lynwood, CA as part of a program that rewards female inmates who enroll into educational programs while doing their time.

But this time the reward was for the kids -- because the children of all women who enrolled got a brand new bicycle for the holidays ... and Turner was there to help give them out!

"This is what it’s all about," Turner said ... "seeing a smile on a child’s face is the best feeling."

Sergeant Peter Gomez -- who helped coordinate the event -- added, "We know that the holiday season can be an emotional time. It's hard on the mothers who are in jail and it is especially hard on their children who come visit them. So we did what we could to shed a little joy during Christmas time."

Pretty cool stuff.