An experience of infant observation in a prison

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to explore whether or not the infant observation model (Bick 1964) can be used in the unusual context of a prison, to observe the development of a mother–child relationship in the first two years of the child's life. In particular, feeding and sleeping habits are analyzed. The result is a description of a very limited relationship which leaves the observer with the impression of a mother–child encounter which cannot develop adequately.

Keywords:

• Infant observation in prison
• feeding and sleeping difficulties
• restricted environment
• prison nursery
• ‘convicted’ mother
• lack of containment