NCJ Number
153326
Date Published
1994
Length
47 pages
Annotation
Analysis of corrections research and statistics and interviews with 18 children whose mothers were in the Holloway prison in London, England, formed the basis of an analysis of the effects of separation of children and mothers and implications for corrections policies in the United Kingdom.
Abstract
The children were interviewed with their permission during their visits to their mothers in 1992. The interviews lasted about half an hour and were tape recorded. Results indicated that too many children are suffering the pains of separation because their mother has been sent to prison for what often amounts to a minor offense. These children are missing qualitative things in life, especially the love and attention most children expect and receive from their mothers daily. These children display many of the same symptoms and experience many of the same problems as children affected by divorce or other forced separation. The remote locations of prisons and the costs of visits create major barriers to children's visits. Visits should be a right for both inmates and children; visits should be longer, more frequent, and in a constructive physical environment. Finally, prisons should be used only as a last resort for these women, because imprisonment imposes great costs on the mothers, their children, and society as a whole. Tables, appended questionnaire, and 42 references