The Lived Experience of Motherhood after Prison: A Qualitative Systematic Review

Abstract Despite the increasing number of women experiencing incarceration internationally, their experiences of motherhood after prison rarely studied. This review aims to explore and synthesize current research on the nature of the lived experience of motherhood after imprisonment. A qualitative synthesis review of English language-based articles published before January 2020 was used. 14 peer-reviewed qualitative studies were identified. The findings indicate that the post-release was a time when mothers re-claim their mothering role but faced significant challenges without sufficient support systems. It was also a time of reflection on the impact that the context of incarceration had on parenting roles and relationships with their children. The review found that we have limited understanding of the mothers’ current experiences of motherhood post-release. The reports are also insufficient to capture the mothers’ voice in different contexts. Further research is therefore required to explore the motherhood experience after release in greater depth and richness.