Mothers Talk Back: Exploring the Experiences of Formerly Incarcerated Mothers

Formerly Incarcerated Black Mothers Matter Too: Resisting Social Constructions of Motherhood

“…Since 1991, the number of children who have experienced maternal incarceration increased by 131%, far surpassing the rate of experiences of paternal incarceration (Barnes & Stringer, 2014). However, few research studies have examined the challenges formerly incarcerated mothers face despite the sharp increase in female incarceration rates over the past few decades (Cooper-Sadlo, Mancini, Meyer, & Chou, 2019).…”

“They Still Know I’m Their Momma”: Incarcerated Mothers’ Perceptions of Reunification and Resuming a Caregiver Role

“…While mothers often use these plans as a source of motivation during their sentence (Shamai & Kochal, 2008;Visher & O'Connell, 2012) and ultimately view providing a stable home and resuming a caregiver role for their children as an indication of personal success after incarceration (Heidemann et al, 2015), they may also feel overwhelmed when considering reentry. Incarcerated women report concerns regarding the bonds they have with their children (Arditti & Few, 2006Cooper-Sadlo et al, 2019;Mignon & Ransford, 2012;Severance, 2004;Shamai & Kochal, 2008;Shortt et al, 2014), the relationships they hold with their children's caregivers (Brown & Bloom, 2009;Cooper-Sadlo et al, 2019), and their ability to care for their children following release from prison (Cooper Sadlo et al, 2019;Garcia, 2016;Hunter & Greer, 2011;Robbins et al, 2009;Severance, 2004;Shortt et al, 2014).…”

“…Regardless of how motivated they are to rejoin their children, incarcerated mothers frequently worry how a long-term separation from their families impacts the relationships they have with their children (Arditti & Few, 2008) and ultimately how these strained relationships may make reentry more difficult (Arditti & Few, 2006;Cooper-Sadlo et al, 2019;Mignon & Ransford, 2012). Re-establishing relationships with their children following separation may be especially relevant for women who left behind young children (Cooper-Sadlo et al, 2019;Severance, 2004;Shamai & Kochal, 2008;Shortt et al, 2014). This may result in these mothers feeling a need to become entirely reacquainted with their children following their release (Severance, 2004).…”

“…Many incarcerated women face specific incarceration and reentry challenges associated with motherhood. Compared to incarcerated men, women in prison are more likely to have left behind minor age children and to have been their main caregiver just prior to entering the corrections system (Cooper-Sadlo et al, 2019;Garcia, 2016;Glaze & Maruschak, 2008;Hayes, 2009), and their reentry plans are more likely to include resuming care of minor children (Barnes & Stringer, 2014;Garcia, 2016;Moe & Ferraro, 2007;Robbins et al, 2009). As a large number of mothers are incarcerated and subsequently released back into the community (Aiello & McQueeney, 2016), it is increasingly important to understand how these women view and prepare for this transition.…”

“…The growing research on incarcerated mothers has explored the ways that women fulfill their motherhood role (Allen et al, 2010;Easterling et al, 2018;Enos, 2001;Mignon & Ransford, 2012) and experience their identities as mothers from behind bars (Barnes & Stringer, 2014;Brown & Bloom, 2009;Enos, 2001). Additionally, some work in this area also includes understanding how previously incarcerated mothers navigate the reentry process with their families following their release from prison (Arditti & Few, 2006Cooper-Sadlo et al, 2019;Hayes, 2009;Shamai & Kochal, 2008;Shortt et al, 2014). Yet, limited work has focused on the expectations that incarcerated mothers have regarding reunifying with their children and how they prepare for reunification immediately prior to their release from prison.…”