NCJ Number
126128
Date Published
1987
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This report discusses the data collected from a survey of members of the United Nations on their policies regarding children of women inmates. Its recommendations provide alternatives to forcing children of women inmates to either stay alone outside prison, without their families, or stay with their mothers and grow up in the unnatural environment of the prison.
Abstract
The recommendations, listed in order of decreasing suitability, include alternatives to imprisonment for the mothers including house arrest, community service, and restitution; community-based residences for mothers with children; separate units outside the security of the prison but part of or adjacent to it; placement of children in the prison if no other arrangements can be made for their care in the outside world; and provision of community activities for those children who are in prison with their mothers. The information from some countries (70 responded in all) demonstrated the wide discrepancy between official policy and informal practice regarding this issue. The practices regarding children fall into three broad categories based on the ages of the children (nursing babies, two-three year olds, and school age children). The specific practices of the responding countries are charted. 1 table.