Imprisoned Mothers and Their Children

Abstract

Presently, there is concern regarding the imprisonment of female offenders who are mothers occasioned by both the numerical increase in women prisoners and by the fact that research and public policy have centered primarily on separation issues. It is estimated that 70%-80% are mothers, incarceration results in the separation of mothers and children. Following their incarceration, most mothers plan to be reunited with their children. This paper examines the reunion aspect and makes recommendations for its successfully implementation.