Introduction to Incarcerated Mothers and Their Children: Separation, Loss, and Reunification

Although only 4% of the world’s women live in the United States, the United States accounts for more than 30% of the world’s incarcerated women. The vast majority of incarcerated women are mothers of minor children, and many affected children are young. Their children are exposed to numerous risks, on average, in addition to the heartbreaking experiences of separation and loss that occur when a mother goes to jail or prison. In the past two decades, historically high US incarceration rates and growing involvement of women in all forms of the criminal justice system have demanded that scholars, policymakers, and practitioners better understand how maternal involvement in the criminal justice system impacts children and families. This Brief focuses on mothers in the US criminal justice system and their children. The introductory chapter reviews recent trends in maternal incarceration and other forms of criminal justice system involvement and introduces the six empirical studies presented in this volume. Previous research on this topic has been foundational, but newly emerging research, including what is presented here, is creating additional opportunities for advancing recommendations for policy and practice.