Slipping through the cracks: Examining the realities of a child-friendly prison system

Pridmore, William; Lévy, Michaël; McArthur, Morag

doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.10.046

Cited by 5 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 41 publications

(39 reference statements)

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“…In addition, we found that the systems did not explicitly support the parenting role; this finding is particularly relevant to child protection systems and the criminal justice system (Flat Out Inc. and VACRO, 2006 ; Flynn, 2008 ) which must work more collaboratively to ensure that the needs of the family are prioritized (Trotter et al, 2015 ). This issue has been highlighted by a substantial body of research on parenting and the criminal justice system (Flynn, Bartlett, Fernandez Arias, Evans, & Burgess, 2015 ; Flynn, Naylor, & Arias, 2016 ; Fowler et al, 2017 ; He & Flynn, 2019 ; Pridmore et al, 2017 ; Saunders & MacArther, 2013 ; Sheehan, 2010 ; Trotter et al, 2015 ). Importantly, the agencies and services do not always consider the specific needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their children including considering the effects of intergenerational trauma, child removal, and culturally safe models for services and programs (Baldry, 2009 ; Baldry et al, 2008a ; Baldry et al, 2008b ; Walker et al, 2019 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The needs and experiences of mothers while in prison and post-release: a rapid review and thematic synthesis

et al. 2021

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Background Women in prison are a vulnerable group, often with a history of abuse, out-of-home care, mental health problems and unemployment. Many are mothers when they become involved in the criminal justice system and their gender and parenting related needs are often not considered. The aim of this rapid review was to thematically synthesize the existing research on the needs and experiences of mothers while in, and following release from, prison in Australia. Methods We conducted a rapid systematic search of electronic databases, search engines, the websites of key agencies, and contacted key agencies and researchers. Results Twenty-two publications from 12 studies met the inclusion criteria and were thematically synthesized in relation to the mothers, their children, family and community, and systems and services which mothers had contact with. We found that mothers in prison have a history of disadvantage which is perpetuated by the trauma of imprisonment. Release from prison is a particularly challenging time for mothers. In relation to their children, the included studies showed that the imprisonment of mothers impacts their maternal identity and role and disrupts the mother-child relationship. Specific strategies are needed to maintain the mother-child relationship, and to ensure the needs and rights of the child are met. In relation to family and community, we found that although family and social support is an important need of women in prison, such support may not be available. Moreover, the stigma associated with having been in prison is a significant barrier to transitions into the community, including finding employment and housing. In relation to systems and services, although limited services exist to support women in prison and on release, these often do not consider the parenting role. Evaluations of parenting programs in prison found them to be acceptable and beneficial to participants but barriers to access limit the number of women who can participate. Conclusion Mothers have gender- and parenting-specific needs which should be considered in planning for corrective services in Australia. Any service redesign must place the woman and her children at the centre of the service.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The needs and experiences of mothers while in prison and post-release: a rapid review and thematic synthesis

et al. 2021

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“…Sometimes systems and practices are resolutely uncaring, and this is starkest within prisons. Pridmore et al (2017, p. 229) reported that some prison “staff considered children a tool for incarcerated people to obtain sentence reductions, rather than an involved party in the incarceration.” More broadly, “[prison] stakeholders thought that a lack of staff and procedural charitability at all levels of the organisation significantly reduced accessibility. This was believed to originate from a policy‐based apathy toward children and a solely security/retribution focus.” (Pridmore et al, 2017, p. 229).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Pridmore et al (2017, p. 229) reported that some prison “staff considered children a tool for incarcerated people to obtain sentence reductions, rather than an involved party in the incarceration.” More broadly, “[prison] stakeholders thought that a lack of staff and procedural charitability at all levels of the organisation significantly reduced accessibility. This was believed to originate from a policy‐based apathy toward children and a solely security/retribution focus.” (Pridmore et al, 2017, p. 229). Flynn et al expressed a similar concern around some staff who did not personally possess sensitivity to the presence of children and, as a response, “children do not get a guaranteed and predictable response” (2015, p. 363).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We perform secondary analysis on Australian studies presenting empirical data on the child and family‐centeredness of expert stakeholders and justice system professionals. Two of these studies (Hannon, 2006; Trotter et al, 2015) were already known to us from our work in the field, and a further study (Pridmore et al, 2017) was discovered by reviewing Google Scholar‐generated lists of studies citing the two known studies. We sought further literature by searching the Google Scholar database using the words “children families parents prison justice system Australia.” About 106,000 results were returned, arranged in descending order of relevance.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Both were significant studies presenting an array of qualitative and quantitative literature in additional to the material we engage with here. A further study was based in the ACT and much more limited in scope (Pridmore et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Whose responsibility? Reexamining Victorian justice system responses to the children and families of parents in prison

Hart¹,

Field-Pimm²

2021

Aust J Social Issues

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Research into the children and families affected by parental imprisonment has demonstrated a range of well-being concerns and proposed a comprehensive array of policy and practice responses, but little practical change has been achieved. With a focus on the Victorian justice system, we provide an overview of the literature and the current service provision, investigating why the policy inertia has persisted. Using feminist theory on the ethics and practices of care, we reexamine the findings of two significant Australian studies into the child and family-centeredness of professionals within the police, courts, prisons and child protection agencies. We demonstrate that, at best, care is fragile and rendered from the margins of roles that are designed to be care-less in relation to this cohort.At worst, justice system personnel and procedures can be resolutely uncaring. We suggest that reluctance among policymakers to displace attention from "core business" may explain the absence of policies to care for children and families of imprisoned parents, and highlight two further strategies: leadership to protect and extend the fragile care practice within the justice system; and new mandates to care for children and families of imprisoned parents extending from familyoriented human services outside the justice system.

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The Interface of Child Welfare and Parental Criminal Justice Involvement: Policy and Practice Implications for the Children of Incarcerated Parents

Haan

Mienko

Eddy

2019

Handbook on Children With Incarcerated Parents

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Slipping through the cracks: Examining the realities of a child-friendly prison system

Abstract: Slipping through the cracks: Examining the realities of a child-friendly prison system Word count (body): 4,619

Cited by 5 publications

References 41 publications

The needs and experiences of mothers while in prison and post-release: a rapid review and thematic synthesis

The needs and experiences of mothers while in prison and post-release: a rapid review and thematic synthesis

Whose responsibility? Reexamining Victorian justice system responses to the children and families of parents in prison

The Interface of Child Welfare and Parental Criminal Justice Involvement: Policy and Practice Implications for the Children of Incarcerated Parents

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