Maternal incarceration in a provincial prison in Canada: A qualitative study

Abstract

Aims:To explore the experiences of provincially incarcerated mothers in Nova Scotia, Canada; and to make recommendations with respect to improving the experiences of mothers facing criminalization and their children. Design: This qualitative study is rooted in feminist standpoint theory, communitybased research methodologies and prison abolition. Methods: Mothers who were currently or previously incarcerated were recruited by community partners. Between Fall 2021 and Winter 2022, 14 individual interviews and one focus group were conducted, for a total of 18 study participants. Data were analysed collaboratively using thematic analysis. Results: Three key themes were developed through the data analysis: Maintaining Connection, Broken Bonds and The Damage. Mothers shared experiences of trying

The Intersection of Abortion and Criminalization: Abortion Access for People in Prisons

“…16 Incarcerated people may seek abortion to protect themselves from anticipated traumas of experiencing pregnancy in prison and from separation from children at or soon after birth. 17 Among incarcerated people are high rates of intimate partner violence and sexual assault, mental and physical illness, substance use disorder, 18 sex work, 19 and sexually transmitted and blood borne infections including HIV and hepatitis C virus 20 : these experiences may also affect reproductive decision-making.…”

Drug Policy: A Examination of Canada and Ukraine

“…Increased incarceration rates for minority groups have significant effects on families. Parental incarceration can reinforce poverty, disturb family life, force children into foster homes and create difficulties such as deepening socio-economic and health problems for parents once they are out of prison (Paynter et al 2022(Paynter et al : 2128. A lack of support, including monetary and housing, once parents are out of prison also reinforces risky behaviour and affects their ability to parent (Paynter et al 2022(Paynter et al : 2128.…”

“…Parental incarceration can reinforce poverty, disturb family life, force children into foster homes and create difficulties such as deepening socio-economic and health problems for parents once they are out of prison (Paynter et al 2022(Paynter et al : 2128. A lack of support, including monetary and housing, once parents are out of prison also reinforces risky behaviour and affects their ability to parent (Paynter et al 2022(Paynter et al : 2128. A 2016 survey conducted in Ontario found that 82% of women who responded had been pregnant at some point in their life ( Liauw et al 2016).…”

Community‐based models of health care for women, trans and nonbinary people released from prisons: An international scoping review with implications for Canada

“…With the number of women, trans and nonbinary people experiencing incarceration increases, these needs become more pressing. Although under-researched, studies have found over 80% of incarcerated women experience unmet contraceptive health needs (Liauw et al, 2016), lack of postpartum care (Paynter, Heggie, et al, 2022) and a general lack of access to reproductive health services (Liauw et al, 2021). This is a significant gap and should be a priority for future research.…”

“…Available research has demonstrated incarceration is associated with lack of prenatal care (Carter Ramirez et al, 2020a), and increased rates of prematurity, low birthweight (Carter Ramirez et al, 2020b). People in prison experience unmet contraception needs and describe degrading treatment (Liauw et al, 2016(Liauw et al, , 2021Paynter, Heggie, et al, 2022). In the United Kingdom, pregnant people in prisons have described poor nutrition, unhygienic conditions, lack of clinical care and humiliation (Abbott, 2018).…”