Challenges to mothering while incarcerated: preliminary study of two women’s prisons in Java, Indonesia
International Journal of Prisoner Health
ISSN: 1744-9200
Article publication date: 4 March 2019
Issue publication date: 4 March 2019
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the characteristics of incarcerated women in two prisons in Java, Indonesia and discuss the specific problems and needs incarcerated women with children face with regard to mothering.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional survey using a semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 399 incarcerated women in two prisons. Focus group discussions provided additional information on mother’s experiences in prison.
Findings
This research finds that children’s welfare was an important concern for mothers while in prison and that they faced various problems in maintaining family ties during their incarceration, including distance, costs and time for family to visit (49.3 percent), and challenges to being able to communicate with family and children (26.6 percent).
Originality/value
This study contributes to the limited research on incarcerated women in Indonesia, broadly, and on mothering and incarceration, in particular, and suggests that women’s needs as mothers have not been taken into consideration by prisons and the criminal justice system.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The study would not have been possible without a financial grant from the University of Indonesia’s Competitive Grant Scheme 1999. Its support is gratefully acknowledged. The authors also would like to thank to Ni Made Martini Puteri, Kisnu Widagso, Miftahuljannah Thahir, members of Vulnerable Groups Research Cluster for their assistance in conducting the study.
Citation
Mustofa, M., West, B.S., Sri Supadmi, M. and Sari, H. (2019), "Challenges to mothering while incarcerated: preliminary study of two women’s prisons in Java, Indonesia", International Journal of Prisoner Health, Vol. 15 No. 1, pp. 37-45. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPH-06-2017-0031
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited