Incarcerating Motherhood

Drawing on in-depth interviews with mothers who experienced separation from their children through short periods in custody, this book walks the reader through a catalogue of enduring harms which these women faced as a result of incarceration. The book is divided into four parts, each providing a thorough description of the gendered pains of imprisonment through rich insights into the challenges these women faced in their everyday lives; with housing, employment, health, finances and relationships with their dependent children. The overarching argument that imprisonment has long-lasting consequences for women is woven throughout this cleverly crafted book, and so reader can opt to read the book in its entirety, or the parts as standalone sections.

The writing is accessible and engaging, and would benefit a student new to the study of criminology or the social sciences, and it is also a book for the seasoned practitioner and experienced academic. Most of all this book should be read by politicians and their policy advisors as it sheds light on the critical issues which short periods of custody inflict on a vulnerable population of women with dependent children. The recommendations towards the end of this book provide tangible ways to respond to the current failings in the criminal justice system, and should be given priority immediately, and during this time of potential change which stem from the promises published in the Female Offender Strategy (Ministry of Justice, 2018).

- Dr Natalie Booth, Lecturer in Criminology at De Montfort University, Leicester