Incarcerated Mothers: Issues and Barriers for Regaining Custody of Children

Stone, Una; Liddell, Marg; Martinovic, Marietta

doi:10.1177/0032885517703957

Cited by 22 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 33 publications

(82 reference statements)

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“… Qualitative study (qualitative interviews) n = 15 mothers (12 in prison, 3 in community < 18 months post release), n = 12 police officers, n = 11 solicitors, n = 6 judges and magistrates, n = 12 interim carers of children of imprisoned women; 0/15 mothers identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Qualitative analysis (details not described) The impact of maternal incarceration on adolescent children (Flynn, 2008 , 2011 , 2012 ; Flynn, 2013 ; Perry et al, 2011 ) Victoria To examine the impact of maternal imprisonment on 20 young people, aged between 10 and 18 years, whose mothers were incarcerated in the two women’s prisons in Victoria. Qualitative study (in-depth semi-structured interviews) Data from 20 adolescents was gathered from: n = 15 mothers (1–18 months post- release), n = 14 adolescent children (10–18 years); n = 3 professionals; 1/20 children reported Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage Thematic analysis I’m still your Mum: Mothering inside and outside prison (Stone, 2013 ) (Stone etal., 2015 ; Stone etal., 2017 ) Victoria To understand the effect which maternal incarceration has on the relationships between incarcerated mothers and their children. Qualitative study (semi- structured in-depth interviews with professionals; discussions and meetings with key stakeholders) n = 6 professionals who case-managed mothers while in prison and upon their release; meetings and discussions with n = 24 key stakeholders who advocate for incarcerated mothers.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mothers in prison have complex and intersecting needs many of which stem from social disadvantage and marginalization, poverty, early childhood abuse, sexual abuse, interpersonal violence, experiences of foster care, poor mental health, drug and alcohol abuse, low literacy and poor physical (Baldry, 2009 ; Baldry, J. Ruddock, & A. Taylor, 2008a ; Burgess, 2016 ; Dowell, Mejia, Preen, & Segal, 2018 ; ESSQ Community Services Consultancy, 2018 ; Flat Out Inc. and VACRO, 2006 ; Flynn, 2008 ; Frye & Dawe, 2008 ; Stone, 2013 ; Stone, Liddell, & Martinovic, 2015 ; Stone, Liddell, & Martinovic, 2017 ; Walker et al, 2019 ; Walker, 2018 ). These needs include services related to drug and alcohol, mental health, domestic violence services, family counselling, legal advice, physical health in prison and post release and transitional and long term housing and addressing poverty and other factors which perpetuate crime (Baldry, 2009 ; Baldry et al, 2008a ; Baldry, J. Ruddock, & J. Taylor, 2008b ; Burgess, 2016 ; ESSQ Community Services Consultancy, 2018 ; Flynn, 2008 ; Frye & Dawe, 2008 ; Johnson et al, 2019 ; V. Perry, Fowler, & Heggie, 2009 ; Perry, Fowler, Heggie, & Barbara, 2011 ; Rossiter et al, 2015 , b ; Stone, 2013 ; Stone et al, 2015 ; Walker et al, 2019 ; Walker, 2018 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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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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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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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“…Parenting is challenging for women whose lives may involve poverty, mental or physical illness, abuse, addiction or crime (Stone, Liddell & Martinovic 2017). The experience of incarceration exacerbates these difficulties frequently resulting in recidivism (Stone et al, 2017). In particular, these women highlighted their concerns about their children learning of their mother's incarceration and the constraints of the correctional system that restricted contact with their children.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The stigma attached to having an incarcerated parent (Stone et al, 2017) can limit a child's learning and social interactions (Turney & Goodsell, 2018). Living in a large city provides some protection for children but for other children living in a small country town where the prison is a major employer increases the risk of people knowing that a child has a parent inside.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Maternal incarceration: Impact on parent–child relationships

Fowler

Rossiter

Power

et al. 2021

J Child Health Care

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Female incarceration is rising steeply in Australia and other high-income countries. The majority of incarcerated women are mothers. Their children represent a particularly vulnerable group, often subject to adverse experiences due to their family’s disadvantaged circumstances involving inadequate housing, food insecurity, poverty, poor health, a lack of personal safety due to violence and resulting trauma. This qualitative study explores parenting experiences of incarcerated mothers separated from their children. Interviews involved 65 mothers in three Australian prisons and 19 stakeholders providing correctional services and support for incarcerated women. Data were analysed using interpretive description. Mothers’ accounts highlighted frustrations resulting from trying to maintain relationships with their children, often exacerbating their separation and compounding parenting difficulties. Two major themes emerged from the data: ‘protecting their children’ and ‘at the mercy of the system’. Mothers described how they tried to protect their children from the consequences of their incarceration, yet many of the correctional system processes and procedures made it even harder to maintain connection. Incarcerated mothers need support in their parenting role. Ideally, this support should commence during incarceration. Further, changes within prison routines could enhance mothers’ efforts to keep in contact with their children, through visits and phone calls.

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“…They express concerns about the burden on caregivers who are relatives and friends (Sharp and Marcus-Mendoza, 2001) and the capacity to provide adequate support to a child in need and almost inevitably at risk. Celinska and Siegel (2010) and Stone et al (2017) point out that much research on incarcerated mothers emphasise how important it is to maintain the maternal relationship with regard to the adjustment of mothers to prison and to their parenting role post-release. Maintaining contact with their children while they are incarcerated is an abiding source of stress for many mothers (Houck and Loper, 2002), as the process is often fraught with hurdles.…”

Section: Mothers In Prisonmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Jones

Wilson

Sullivan

et al. 2018

IJPH

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Purpose The rise in the incarceration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers is a major public health issue with multiple sequelae for Aboriginal children and the cohesiveness of Aboriginal communities. The purpose of this paper is to review the available literature relating to Australian Aboriginal women prisoners’ experiences of being a mother. Design/methodology/approach The literature search covered bibliographic databases from criminology, sociology and anthropology, and Australian history. The authors review the literature on: traditional and contemporary Aboriginal mothering roles, values and practices; historical accounts of the impacts of white settlement of Australia and subsequent Aboriginal affairs policies and practices; and women’s and mothers’ experiences of imprisonment. Findings The review found that the cultural experiences of mothering are unique to Aboriginal mothers and contrasted to non-Aboriginal concepts. The ways that incarceration of Aboriginal mothers disrupts child rearing practices within the cultural kinship system are identified. Practical implications Aboriginal women have unique circumstances relevant to the concept of motherhood that need to be understood to develop culturally relevant policy and programs. The burden of disease and cycle of incarceration within Aboriginal families can be addressed by improving health outcomes for incarcerated Aboriginal mothers and female carers. Originality/value To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first literature review on Australian Aboriginal women prisoners’ experiences of being a mother.

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Incarcerated Mothers: Issues and Barriers for Regaining Custody of Children

Cited by 22 publications

References 33 publications

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

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

Maternal incarceration: Impact on parent–child relationships

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

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