Exploring the perceived helpfulness of correctional programs and needs among incarcerated mothers

Abstract

Abstract Many of the women currently incarcerated in state prisons are mothers. They have similar programming needs as other women in prison, including education, work, counseling, and drug treatment, yet they also have unique needs associated with their motherhood roles and the relationships they have with their children. Utilizing in-depth interviews with incarcerated mothers, this paper examines the program participation and program needs of these women. Specifically, we explore the perceived helpfulness of available programming and discuss programs the participants feel they need but are not receiving. Our findings suggest that incarcerated mothers identify programming as helpful to them and in their role as mothers that includes traditional parenting programs and programs that focus on substance abuse, mental health, trauma and abuse, life skills, and religious services. Incarcerated mothers in the current study apply knowledge and skills learned in other programming areas such as substance abuse programs and anger management to their parenting experiences, even when these programs do not specifically target their parenting roles. The implications for programming include understanding the ways that non-parenting programs might recognize and incorporate issues involving families and children in their approaches to treatment and programming.