Author :
Abstract
Keywords
Abstract
Motherhood plays a pivotal role in the development of the child, and the child's best interests should be the primary consideration in every matter involving children. However, maternal incarceration negatively affects the well-being of children, crating dilemma between co-residing and separation from the mother. Though multiple studies have examined this phenomenon, the current study aimed at systematically identifying the objectives, research methodologies, and prominent themes highlighted in those studies. Hence, a qualitative study with a sample of 26 papers published between 2001 and 2021 in the Taylor and Francis database was selected and thematically analysed. The study could identify three themes, including the relationship between incarcerated mothers and their children, the effectiveness of prison-based child development programs, and the development of children incarcerated with their mothers. Further, the study identified qualitative approaches as predominant throughout these studies. The study concludes with recommendations on identifying the necessity of reinforcing mother-child attachment by means of uniform criminal justice practices based on the best interests of the child.
Keywords
Child development, Maternal incarceration, Mother-Child relationship, Prison programs, Systematic review