When Prison Feels Like a Life Sentence: Programmatic Support for Incarcerated Mothers and Their Children

• In Event: Emerging Issues in Prison Research

Abstract

Over the past two decades, the number of incarcerated women increased by 646% (The Sentencing Project, 2012). In contrast to male prisoners with children, the majority of imprisoned mothers were primary caregivers at the time of their arrest (Mignon & Ransford, 2012). Research indicates that the sudden absence of these mothers has a profoundly traumatic impact on their children’s immediate and lifetime well-being. Given that female inmates tend to be serving prison sentences for non-violent crimes, statistics indicate that the vast majority of incarcerated mothers will resume the role of primary caretaker upon release from prison. Yet, services in women’s prisons remain seriously under-funded in comparison to male prisons. This roundtable explores the need for inclusion of family-centered, inter-disciplinary programming that promotes mother-child attachment and family stability. The role that such programming can play in both the context of prison-based and re-entry programs will be considered. The roundtable will include discussion about a two-tiered programmatic model that includes services to incarcerated mothers and their children in an effort to prevent recidivism and to support family reunification.

Authors

• Barbara Walters, Eastern Michigan University

• Jennifer Fritz, Eastern Michigan University

• Bonnie Miller, Eastern Michigan University