"How Am I Going to Do It?" Understanding the Challenges of Assuming Care of a Child Born During their Mothers' Incarceration.

Abstract

Objectives: Mass incarceration of women systematically targets minoritized groups. Approximately 1,000 births occur from prison annually; and most children must be cared for by someone other than their mother. Little is known about caregiving for infants in the context of maternal incarceration. The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences of caregivers assuming care of newborns of incarcerated mothers to identify challenges and provide policy recommendations.

Materials and methods: Data from this study were drawn from qualitative intake interviews with caregivers of children born to incarcerated mothers in Georgia participating in the Birth Beyond Bars Study, an ongoing birth cohort of children exposed prenatally to incarceration in three states. One of the primary research questions for these interviews was how caregivers were coping with assuming care for the infant. All caregivers of children born to incarcerated women from August 2020 to January 2023 (n = 48) were approached for enrollment into the study by staff at a nonprofit providing support to incarcerated pregnant and postpartum women and their families. We used thematic analysis to analyze data from 36 caregivers.

Results: Caregivers were primarily older (45% were between 46 and 71), female kin (89%), who were frequently impoverished (30%). Caregivers faced challenges in legally assuming care of the infant, maintaining work, securing childcare, enrolling in social services, and managing their health. They primarily relied on their families for support.

Discussion: Caregivers of infants of incarcerated mothers are a vulnerable population requiring enhanced support. Targeted support may ameliorate negative consequences of assuming this role.

Health equity implications: To promote health equity, state social service agencies should target and assist caregivers in enrolling in social services. Most importantly, states should pass legislation prioritizing community-based alternatives to incarceration for pregnant and parenting mothers.