The Next Generation of Mothers and Children’s Programs - An Evidence-based Approach (PID139)

11.30am – 12pm EDT, 23 October 2023 ‐ 30 mins

Workshop Session

Incarcerated mothers are a marginalised group who experience substantial health and social issues and routinely face disruption of family relationships, including loss of custody of their child/ren. This, in turn, places the children’s social, educational, and emotional development at risk. Mothers and children’s (M&Cs) programs offer an opportunity for mothers to reside with their children in a prison setting to address this disadvantage. Such programs have the capacity to offer a suite of support to mothers, for example, parenting classes and strengthening the mother/child bond. The Bangkok Rules outline the need for equivalence of care for children residing with their mothers in prison and that all decisions must be in the best interest of the child.

M&Cs models of service delivery vary widely and there is a paucity of evidence regarding the necessary components and evaluation of successful M&Cs that also aligns with a human rights-based approach. The next generation of M&Cs must be evidence-based, include key components that can be implemented in correctional facilities, and be rigorously monitored and evaluated. The synthesis of the existing evidence-base provides an opportunity for correctional facilities to redesign M&C programs and incorporate a standardised model of service delivery that effectively meets the needs of incarcerated mothers and their children.