Mothers in Pr*son - Panel Discussion

As most primary caregivers are women, the imprisonment of a mother is particularly devastating for both the child and mother. Around 600 pregnant women are held in custody and around 100 babies are born in Pr*son each year. It is estimated that, annually, around 17,000 children are affected by maternal imprisonment. Only 5% of the children of mothers in Pr*son are cared for by their fathers during the mother's incarceration, meaning they are more likely to have to live with extended family, leave their homes, schools, and social networks, or end up in the care system. Mothers in Pr*son have reported feeling preoccupied with concerns about the care their children receive in their absence, particularly in relation to not knowing their children's whereabouts, the progress of official care proceedings, and the safety of their children whilst they are in the care of others.

Hosted by the University of Greenwich Communities, Activism, and Social Justice Research Centre and the Gender, Deviance and Society Research Group this event brings together expert researchers on maternal imprisonment and practitioners working with mothers in Pr*son and their children to examine the most pressing issues and how these can be addressed within and outside of the criminal justice system.

Refreshments will be available after the event.

Panel guests:

Dr Rona Epstein: Dr Epstein is Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Coventry. Dr Epstein's research has focused on the sentencing of mothers and the rights of the child.

Dr Lucy Baldwin: Dr Baldwin is Associate Professor at the University of Durham. A former Social Worker and Probation Officer, Dr Baldwin has published extensively on experiences of motherhood for women in the justice system. Her work has influenced policy and practice nationally.

Tanya Tracey, Birth Companions: Birth Companions provide services for women and babies, and work to create positive change in the maternity, criminal justice, social services and immigration systems.

Sarah Burrows, Children Heard and Seen: Children Heard and Seen support children, young people and their families who are impacted by parental imprisonment. The charity was set up in 2014, with a focus on reducing intergenerational offending, and mitigating the impacts of parental imprisonment for children and young people.

This event is in-person, with the option to join online.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Queen Anne Building, Room 175, University of Greenwich, London, United Kingdom