Australian Aboriginal women prisoners’ experiences of being a mother: a review

Jones, Jocelyn; Wilson, Mandy; Sullivan, Elizabeth A.; Atkinson, Lynn; Gilles, Marisa; Simpson, Paul; Baldry, Eileen; Butler, Tony

doi:10.1108/ijph-12-2017-0059

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 31 publications

(36 reference statements)

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“…The majority of Aboriginal women in this study expressed a view to have a separate education group. The over-representation of Aboriginal women in Australian prisons makes it imperative to understand their needs and provide education they can relate to (Jones et al, 2018 ; Sullivan et al, 2019 ). For this reason, the needs of Aboriginal women will be detailed in another publication.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The voices of incarcerated women at the forefront of parenting program development: a trauma-informed approach to education

et al. 2022

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Background The lives of women experiencing incarceration are complex, impacting many aspects of parenting. Incarceration can present an opportunity for women to access parenting education. However, their specific needs have to be considered. Few parenting programs for women experiencing incarceration have involved the women as part of their development. Methods Six focus groups were conducted in a prison setting involving thirty-one women to explore and understand their parenting education needs. Results Four main themes were identified to reflect the complex lives of the women and their parenting education needs. These themes were: working towards a positive self, communication as a lifeline, supporting and nurturing their children and hopefulness and reconnecting. The trauma women experienced in their lives was apparent during discussions. Conclusion Women requested a non-judgmental parenting program to be developed to meet their specific needs and circumstances. The program needed to be designed to enable them to share stories with women in similar situations. Women gave insights into some of the specific content and topics they would like included in a parenting program. The women revealed experiences of trauma in their lives, demonstrating the importance of the need for a trauma informed approach to parenting education.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The voices of incarcerated women at the forefront of parenting program development: a trauma-informed approach to education

et al. 2022

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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women in Australian Prisons

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Cox

2020

Neo-Colonial Injustice and the Mass Imprisonment of Indigenous Women

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The needs and experiences of mothers while in prison and post-release: a rapid review and thematic synthesis

et al. 2021

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Background Women in prison are a vulnerable group, often with a history of abuse, out-of-home care, mental health problems and unemployment. Many are mothers when they become involved in the criminal justice system and their gender and parenting related needs are often not considered. The aim of this rapid review was to thematically synthesize the existing research on the needs and experiences of mothers while in, and following release from, prison in Australia. Methods We conducted a rapid systematic search of electronic databases, search engines, the websites of key agencies, and contacted key agencies and researchers. Results Twenty-two publications from 12 studies met the inclusion criteria and were thematically synthesized in relation to the mothers, their children, family and community, and systems and services which mothers had contact with. We found that mothers in prison have a history of disadvantage which is perpetuated by the trauma of imprisonment. Release from prison is a particularly challenging time for mothers. In relation to their children, the included studies showed that the imprisonment of mothers impacts their maternal identity and role and disrupts the mother-child relationship. Specific strategies are needed to maintain the mother-child relationship, and to ensure the needs and rights of the child are met. In relation to family and community, we found that although family and social support is an important need of women in prison, such support may not be available. Moreover, the stigma associated with having been in prison is a significant barrier to transitions into the community, including finding employment and housing. In relation to systems and services, although limited services exist to support women in prison and on release, these often do not consider the parenting role. Evaluations of parenting programs in prison found them to be acceptable and beneficial to participants but barriers to access limit the number of women who can participate. Conclusion Mothers have gender- and parenting-specific needs which should be considered in planning for corrective services in Australia. Any service redesign must place the woman and her children at the centre of the service.

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Australian Aboriginal women prisoners’ experiences of being a mother: a review

Cited by 3 publications

References 31 publications

The voices of incarcerated women at the forefront of parenting program development: a trauma-informed approach to education

The voices of incarcerated women at the forefront of parenting program development: a trauma-informed approach to education

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women in Australian Prisons

The needs and experiences of mothers while in prison and post-release: a rapid review and thematic synthesis

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