This paper contributes new insights into the ways in which prison is experienced as an emotional space by mothers. It highlights the way in which the maternal experience for mothers in prison is often at best disrupted, at worst destroyed, by the location.
Consideration is given to how maternal emotions and role are assembled and challenged through imprisonment and how mothers understand this experience whilst navigating motherhood post incarceration. The data presented is based on twenty recorded in-depth individual interviews with released mothers across England and Wales. The research findings highlight the significant emotional harm and turmoil felt by mothers themselves and on mother-child relationships, experienced during incarceration and long after their release. The voices of the mothers are widely shared throughout this clearly written, well structured article. The findings in this paper provide insights into the nuanced and complex experience of the prison space for mothers, and shows the reader the harms which accompany custodial sentences. Findings emphasise the significance and value of compassionate and thoughtful management of prisons in relation to mothering emotions. The paper concludes with reflections on the findings of the study and recommendations for future research and practice. This piece of work should absolutely be read and disseminated by anyone interested in maternal imprisonment.
Motherhood disrupted is available as open access via Research Gate see below:
