NCJ Number
88353
Date Published
1982
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This discussion of inmate-mothers focuses on the grief women prisoners experience because of separation from their children and the difficulties of returning to the parent role after release.
Abstract
Incarcerated mothers tend to be low-skilled, and poor; yet, they are heads of households, as well as fairly young and often black. A substantial proportion leave their children in the care of relatives and reportedly plan to reunite the family after release. Many inmate-mothers feel conflict and guilt because their behavior has caused the separation, often expressing these feelings in terms of dissatisfaction with the children's current caretakers. Incarceration can make working through this loss difficult because the prison setting tends to pressure women into suspending emotional involvement to complete their terms successfully. Other problems are the fear of overall inadequacy as a mother, fear of being unable to readjust to living with children after release, and practical matters such as regaining custody, relocating children, and housing. From the legal perspective, it appears that incarceration alone is not sufficient evidence that a parent is unfit, and parental abandonment should be defined in terms of neglect and withholding affection. While a few States have allowed children under 2 years old to live with their mothers in prison, this option remains controversial. Visitation policies vary among institutions but are significant influences on a woman's ability to maintain contact with her children. Program recommendations for reuniting inmates with their children consider involving the inmate-mother in all decisions about her children, weekend visits at prison for children, and community-based projects to house mothers and children together.