MOTHERS IN JAIL: GENDER, SOCIAL CONTROL, AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARENTHOOD BEHIND BARS

• Date: 28 April 2005
• Pages: 121-142
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1521-6136(04)06007-5
• Published date: 28 April 2005
• Author: Vickie Jensen,Jill DuDeck-Biondo

MOTHERS IN JAIL: GENDER, SOCIAL

CONTROL, AND THE CONSTRUCTION

OF PARENTHOOD BEHIND BARS

Vickie Jensen and Jill DuDeck-Biondo

ABSTRACT

This chapter discusses the interplay of incarceration and traditional gender

expectations in the construction of motherhood. We present data from in-

depth interviews which examine the accounting jailed mothers provide of

motherhood in general and of their own lives in jail. Constraints from

the institution and traditional gender ideals heavily shape both definitions

and self-concepts of incarcerated mothers. Institutional controlssignificantly

hamper the ability to practice parenthood. Accounts of motherhood are

constrained by traditional notions of nurturing and the necessity of presenting

themselves as “good mothers.” Addressing these limitations can provide

avenues for improving the experience and skill of parenting for incarcerated

mothers.

INTRODUCTION

Research began to examine parenthood in correctional facilities when scholars

studying women in prison discovered how the loss of children and family

provided the greatest amount of stress in women prisoners’ lives and how their

motherhood role shaped adaptation to the correctional environment. In general,

Ethnographies of Law and Social Control

Sociology of Crime, Law and Deviance, Volume6, 121–142

Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Ltd.

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ISSN: 1521-6136/doi:10.1016/S1521-6136(04)06007-5

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122 VICKIE JENSEN AND JILL DUDECK-BIONDO

the research on imprisoned women has demonstrated the pain and frustration

that women feel as parents who are faced with structural limitations on parenting

and controlled access to gender roles which can played out in jails and prisons.

This research has provided invaluable insight into incarcerated mothers but has

not fully taken on the task of exploring exactly how motherhood is constructed

through interaction within the correctional context. Specifically, it is not clear

how practices and accounts of motherhood are constructed within the institutional

climate. Using the perspective of “doing gender,” we can see how women prisoners

“do motherhood” within structural and social controls which limit their physical

and interactional activities involving children. This chapter will present literature

and data which will elucidate how female prisoners manage their status as

parents.

INCARCERATED MOTHERS: DEMOGRAPHIC AND

BACKGROUND CHARACTERISTICS

Mothers are a large majority of the women in correctional institutions with figures

ranging from 59% to nearly 80% in state prison (Berry & Eigenberg, 2003;

Clark, 1995; Luke, 2002; Mumola, 2000; Owen, 1998). Incarcerated mothers are

predominantly young (under 35) (Gaudin & Sutphen, 1993; Schafer & Dellinger,

1999), economically disadvantaged (Gaudin & Sutphen, 1993; Luke, 2002),

undereducated (Mumola, 2000; Schafer & Dellinger, 1999), racial and ethnic

minorities (Baunach, 1985; Gaudin & Sutphen, 1993), and single, primarily

never married (Gaudin & Sutphen, 1993; Luke, 2002; Mumola, 2000; Schafer

& Dellinger, 1999).

Parents in correctional facilities are primarily sentenced for nonviolentoffenses,

of particular, drug and property offenses. Mandatory custodial sentences as

well as length in sentencing have increased the numbers of all offenders in

custody for these crimes, including parents (Beckerman, 1994; Berry & Eigenberg,

2003; Luke, 2002; Morash & Schram, 2002; Owen, 1998; Schafer & Dellinger,

1999). Around 25% of imprisoned mothers in state facilities are incarcerated

for violent crimes. Mothers are likely to have prior arrests (Mumola, 2000)

and have concurrent problems with drugs and alcohol (Luke, 2002; Mumola,

2000). Mothers are most often unemployed prior to coming into correctional

custody. Figures of employment for mothers place the percentage at between

33% and 45% (Mumola, 2000; Schafer & Dellinger, 1999). When they do earn

wages, mothers were most likely to be paid less than adequate wages (Mumola,

2000).