The Children of Women in Prison

<p>The central focus of this thesis is on children whose mothers are sent to prison. Both the mothers and their children are vulnerable populations; they are likely to have experienced family violence, abuse, drug and alcohol misuse, chaotic lifestyles and disrupted close relationships. In addition, many imprisoned mothers are single parents who are detained far from their families and support systems; this makes the maintenance of relationships between them and their children fraught with difficulty. During the course of this research, 56 imprisoned mothers and the caregivers of the children of 11 of them were interviewed to gather data on how these children and the caregivers were faring while the mothers were in prison and on how the situation could be improved. At a later date 37 of the women, some of whom had been released into the community, were re-interviewed about how their relationships with their children had changed over the time since their last interview and about their current concerns. The results confirm findings from overseas research which identifies the need for programmes and facilities to assist women in prison to maintain their relationship with their children during their sentence. For the successful reintegration of the women into society and the reunification of their families, support and assistance are essential. This support and help is needed by the children, by the temporary caregivers and by the mothers. It is needed both during the period of the mother's imprisonment and after she has been released. Recommendations have been made about policies and practices that are likely to achieve these goals. Directions for future research have been suggested.</p>

The Children of Women in Prison

<p>The central focus of this thesis is on children whose mothers are sent to prison. Both the mothers and their children are vulnerable populations; they are likely to have experienced family violence, abuse, drug and alcohol misuse, chaotic lifestyles and disrupted close relationships. In addition, many imprisoned mothers are single parents who are detained far from their families and support systems; this makes the maintenance of relationships between them and their children fraught with difficulty. During the course of this research, 56 imprisoned mothers and the caregivers of the children of 11 of them were interviewed to gather data on how these children and the caregivers were faring while the mothers were in prison and on how the situation could be improved. At a later date 37 of the women, some of whom had been released into the community, were re-interviewed about how their relationships with their children had changed over the time since their last interview and about their current concerns. The results confirm findings from overseas research which identifies the need for programmes and facilities to assist women in prison to maintain their relationship with their children during their sentence. For the successful reintegration of the women into society and the reunification of their families, support and assistance are essential. This support and help is needed by the children, by the temporary caregivers and by the mothers. It is needed both during the period of the mother's imprisonment and after she has been released. Recommendations have been made about policies and practices that are likely to achieve these goals. Directions for future research have been suggested.</p>

Child-Rearing by Imprisoned Women: Sadness, Anxiety, and Feelings of Guilt

The number of imprisoned women continues to increase. Imprisonment of women affects them as perpetrators of crime and those who have relationships with and ties to them, such as children. This phenomenological study aims to explore the experience of imprisoned women in Jakarta in playing the role of mother. In-depth interviews were conducted to explore the experiences of seven imprisoned women. Through a thematic content analysis, we identified specific keywords, the results revealing the sadness, anxiety, and feelings of guilt experienced by imprisoned mothers in relation to their child-rearing. Imprisoned mothers also experience difficulties in meeting their children's needs, together with inadequate child-rearing facilities. The situation experienced by imprisoned women influences their family relationships, which can lead to family crises. The results of this study are expected to serve as a reference for professional collaboration between judicial institutions, community nurses, academics, and related parties, increasing the attention paid to imprisoned mothers and children affected by maternal incarceration.Abstrak Pengasuhan Anak oleh Wanita di Penjara: Kesedihan, Kecemasan, dan Perasaan Bersalah. Jumlah wanita yang dipenjara terus mengalami peningkatan. Pemenjaraan bagi perempuan tidak hanya memengaruhi perempuan sebagai pelaku kejahatan, tetapi juga pada subyek yang memiliki hubungan dan ikatan dengan perempuan tersebut, salah satunya adalah anak. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengeksplorasi pengalaman wanita yang dipenjara di Jakarta dalam mengasuh anak. Penelitian ini menggunakan desain kualitatif dengan pendekatan fenomenologis. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan wawancara mendalam terhadap tujuh wanita yang dipenjara. Melalui analisis konten tematis kata kunci yang ditemukan dalam transkrip wawancara disusun dalam kategori, sub tema, dan tema. Hasil penelitian menjelaskan kesedihan, kecemasan dan perasaan bersalah yang dialami oleh ibu yang dipenjara dalam pengasuhan anak. Para ibu yang dipenjara juga mengalami kesulitan dalam memenuhi kebutuhan anak dan fasilitas pengasuhan anak yang tidak memadai. Situasi yang dialami oleh ibu yang dipenjara memengaruhi hubungan dalam keluarga sehingga menghadapi krisis keluarga. Hasil penelitian ini diharapkan dapat menjadi referensi untuk kolaborasi profesional antara lembaga peradilan, perawat komunitas, akademisi, dan elemen terkait untuk meningkatkan perhatian bagi ibu dan anak yang dipenjara yang terkena dampak hukuman penjara ibu. Kata Kunci: pemenjaraan, pengasuhan anak, perawat komunitas, perempuan narapidana

Mother-infant separations in prison: Why does context matter?

Mother-child separations are a gendered ‘pain of imprisonment’ leaving a legacy of further trauma for mothers on release, particularly those who are not reunited with their children. Building on Haney’s contextual approach, this chapter will present a co-produced qualitative analysis of research findings on separated mothers in prison. This collaboration between a mother with lived experience of the prison system and a prison researcher will draw on feminist criminological work reflecting on personal experience of the prison system. Interweaving lived experience reflections with a study of maternal imprisonment, we discuss how imprisoned mothers’ experiences of separation from their children are mediated by social support and wider systemic issues with the criminal justice system. Three aspects were emphasised by mothers and prison staff: 1) the impact of family relationships; 2) wider systems and agencies beyond prison; 3) prison mother-baby units. We propose that a contextual understanding of mothers’ experiences is needed to work towards mitigating the harms of mother-child separation.

Gendered prisons, relationships and resettlement policies; three reasons for caution for imprisoned mothers

Drawing on the lived experiences and perceptions of five imprisoned mothers, this article critically explores female prisons, relationships and resettlement policies in England and Wales. The findings indicate how the infusing of gendered, informal social controls into penal interventions and penal policy has the potential to harm mothers. This is why three reasons for caution are proposed in relation to ‘structural obstacles’, ‘continued exposure to abuse’ and ‘ascribed reputations’. With these challenges, the mother’s aspirations for a crime- and drug-free future may be thwarted. Therefore, by showing the complex and dynamic set of circumstances that mothers in prison must navigate, more clearly, the need for a nuanced approach for working with women can be appreciated.

Incarceration Trajectories of Women Who Are Mothers: A Nationally Representative Study of State and Federal Prisoners

Despite growing research on women’s offending trajectories, knowledge on the imprisonment experiences of women who are mothers is limited. This study used a nationally representative dataset of state and federal prisoners to identify and characterize subgroups of mothers based on incarceration histories. Group-based trajectory modeling identified four groups with distinct incarceration trajectories: stable escalating group, moderate declining group, adolescence-peak group, and young-adulthood-peak group. Bivariate analyses then suggested that different incarceration trajectories were associated with adverse life experiences (i.e., foster care placement, sexual abuse experience) and confinement experiences (i.e., number of episodes of prison confinement). Discussed are the future research directions and implications for criminal justice policies and interventions targeting imprisoned mothers.

Overwhelmed and powerless: staff perspectives on mother – infant separations in English prisons

Purpose Imprisoned mothers are at increased risk for poor psychological health and psychological distress when separated from their children, so staff need to be highly skilled to support the women. However, there is a paucity of research focusing on staff experiences around sensitive issues such as mother–child separation. This study aims to understand the challenges faced by staff and how these might be addressed. Design/methodology/approach This qualitative interview study explored the views and experiences of 24 prison-based staff in England working with female prisoners separated from their infants. Findings Staff emphasised the challenges of working with separated mothers, specifically the emotional impact of this work, and the impact of the wider criminal justice system on their sense of agency. Originality/value A focus on the experience of separation highlights the broader problem of incarcerating women in general. Reducing the number of mother–child separations would mitigate the impact on both women and staff.

Persepsi Warga Binaan Pemasyarakatan Perempuan terhadap peran sebagai Ibu: Studi Kualitatif

Jumlah narapidana atau warga binaan pemasyarakatan perempuan terus meningkat sehingga perlu mendapat perhatian. Hal ini berkaitan dengan kebutuhan kesehatannya yang unik serta subyek yang terkena dampak termasuk anak. Pemenjaraan menimbulkan pemikiran, perasaan, sikap, dan gagasan tersendiri bagi warga binaan pemasyarakatan perempuan untuk menjalankan perannya sebagai ibu. Tujuan penelitian. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menggali persepsi warga binaan pemasyarakatan perempuan di Rutan Kelas IIA Jakarta Timur dalam menjalankan peran sebagai ibu. Metode. Penelitian menggunakan desain kualitatif dengan pendekatan fenomenologi. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan wawancara mendalam terhadap tujuh warga binaan perempuan. Transkrip wawancara dianalisis dengan mengorganisasikan kata kunci yang ditemukan ke dalam kategori, sub tema, dan tema. Hasil. Hasil penelitian menjelaskan bahwa warga binaan pemasyarakatan perempuan memiliki persepsi yang sama tentang peran seorang ibu dalam pengasuhan anak. Peran penting seorang ibu yaitu memperhatikan kesehatan anak, mendidik anak, mendampingi anak, dan mencukupi semua kebutuhan anak. Partisipan tetap dapat menunjukkan perilaku-perilaku positif dan pengasuhan. Partisipan memiliki efikasi diri yang tinggi dalam pengasuhan anak. Kesimpulan. Efikasi diri yang dimiliki ibu berdampak pada persepsi dan kemampuannya untuk menjalankan peran selama dan setelah dipenjarakan. Hasil penelitian ini diharapkan dapat menjadi acuan bagi kolaborasi profesi antara lembaga peradilan, perawat komunitas, akademisi, dan elemen terkait untuk meningkatkan perhatian terhadap pelaksanaan peran ibu di lembaga pemasyarakatan Kata kunci: pemenjaraan; pengasuhan; peran sebagai ibu; warga binaan pemasyarakatan PERCEPTION OF FEMALE INMATE ON ROLE AS MOTHER: PHENOMENOLOGY STUDY ABSTRACT The number of female inmate continues to increase and needs attention. It is related to their unique health needs as well as affected subjects including children. Imprisonment creates their own thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and ideas for women in prison to carry out their role as mothers. This study was aimed to explore the perceptions of female inmate in Class IIA detention centers in East Jakarta in carrying out their role as mothers. The study used a qualitative design with a phenomenological approach. Data was collected by in-depth interviews of seven female inmates. Interview transcripts were analyzed by organizing the keywords found into categories, sub themes, and themes. The results of the study explained that female inmates have the same perception about the role of a mother in childcare. An important role of a mother is to pay attention to children's health and education, accompany their children, and meet all the needs of children. Participants can still show some positive parenting behaviors. The self-efficacy of the mother has an impact on her ability to perform roles during and after imprisonment. The results of this study are expected to be a reference for professional collaboration between the judiciary, community nurses, academics, and related elements to raise awareness of imprisoned mothers and children affected by female inmate. Keywords: imprisonmen; parenting; mother’s role; female inmate

The applicability of the best interests principle to children of imprisoned mothers in contemporary Africa: Between hard and soft law

This article argues that article 30(d) of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child in fact, in some instances, may impede the actualisation of the best interests of the children of incarcerated mothers in contemporary Africa, due to its inflexible and generalising formulation. The African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child attempted to address the limitations inherent in article 30 by issuing its first General Comment on 'Children of incarcerated and imprisoned parents and primary caregivers', which promotes an individualised and far more flexible approach to the decision of whether to prohibit or allow children to reside in prison with their mothers. However, the persuasive value of a General Comment is limited by virtue of belonging to the category of soft law. Therefore, the African Children's Committee should explore the possibility of amending article 30(d) in order to preserve the best interests of children whose mothers are incarcerated.