“They Still Know I’m Their Momma”: Incarcerated Mothers’ Perceptions of Reunification and Resuming a Caregiver Role

Abstract

Using in-depth interviews with mothers incarcerated in a maximum-security prison, the current study explores incarcerated mothers’ own perceptions and expectations regarding reunification with their families. For many of these mothers, reunification was an exciting prospect, but they recognized that the transition may not be easy for themselves, their children, or their children’s caregivers. Notably, while past research has treated reunification as including assuming care of children, our study suggests that some women view reunification strictly as rebuilding relationships with their children without plans to assume caring for them. We discuss implications for policy and programming for institutional and community corrections.

Narrative Resilience Among Formerly Incarcerated Mothers

“…Researchers' often-exclusive focus on the experiences of mothers in the criminal legal system is unsurprising, given that women are much more commonly the caretakers of minors prior to incarceration than men (Maruschak & Bronson, 2021). Although motherhood may act as a motivator for change (Garcia-Hallett, 2019a;Sharpe, 2015), reentering mothers face distinctive challenges as they navigate custody arrangements, familial relationships, substance use recovery, and mental health disorders (Arditti & Few, 2006, 2008Brown & Bloom, 2009;Garcia-Hallett, 2019a;Robison & Hughes Miller, 2016;Sharpe, 2015;Wilson & Koons-Witt, 2021). Even when motherhood acts as a catalyst for desistance, pathways to change are complex.…”

“…Reunification with children is an important reentry experience for many system-impacted women, but legal challenges surrounding custody as well as concerns about reentering mothers’ capacity to shoulder the responsibility of full-time motherhood impede these mothers’ resumption of primary caregiving responsibilities (Brown & Bloom, 2009; Wilson & Koons-Witt, 2021). Although women may feel better prepared to resume their roles as caregivers if they delay reunification with their children, they face significant social pressure to reunite, particularly from the adults who served as caregivers in their absence (Brown & Bloom, 2009).…”

Mothering experiences in prison: Exploring distinctions between maternal and paternal caregiving arrangements

“…Incarcerated mothers' and maternal grandmothers' lives are intrinsically connected, and thus there is greater effort put into maintaining the relationship between the incarcerated mother and her child, and a greater belief that it is important to do so (Tasca, 2016). Maternal caregivers generally allow incarcerated mothers to be more involved in parenting decisions (Baker et al, 2010; Barnes & Stringer, 2014) and create more opportunities for mothers to be involved with, and informed about, their children (Wilson & Koons‐Witt, 2021; Young & Smith, 2000). Ultimately, these arrangements during a mother's incarceration can result in better child behavior, reduced childhood trauma, and more successful outcomes for mothers upon their release from prison (Cecil et al, 2008; Strozier et al, 2011).…”

“…Being involved in decisions regarding their child is an essential part of parenting from prison for incarcerated mothers (Aiello & McQueeney, 2021; Cecil et al, 2008; Stringer & Barnes, 2012). Mothers' ability to engage in decision‐making regarding their children is usually dictated by the caregiver (Aiello & McQueeney, 2021; Cecil et al, 2008; Enos, 2001), thus the mother–caregiver relationship has a direct impact on the degree of involvement that incarcerated mothers have in parental decision‐making (Barnes & Stringer, 2014; Enos, 2001; Wilson & Koons‐Witt, 2021). A successful co‐parenting alliance allows incarcerated mothers to make decisions regarding their children (Cecil et al, 2008), and the more involvement mothers have, the more optimistic their view of their connection to their children and their caregivers (Loper et al, 2014; Stringer & Barnes, 2012).…”

“…Although emails, letter mail, and phone calls are generally more accessible forms of contact and thus are more frequently used (Christian, 2005; Mignon & Ransford, 2012), women and children still experience barriers with these methods of communication. Sending mail can place a burden on indigent incarcerated women (Moe & Ferraro, 2007; Wilson & Koons‐Witt, 2021), and many penitentiaries do not provide access to email (Johnson, 2016), even though this would be a more cost‐effective form of communication for incarcerated women. Additionally, literacy challenges may hinder the accessibility of both letter and email writing (Moe & Ferraro, 2007; Wilson & Koons‐Witt, 2021).…”