NCJ Number
127289
Journal
Corrections Compendium Volume: 11 Issue: 17 Dated: (November 1987) Pages: 1,5-13
Date Published
1987
Length
10 pages
Annotation
A study by the United National Alliance of Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice revealed that children are an integral part of prison society in many countries. The practice of keeping children with their imprisoned mothers was found, without exception, to be psychologically harmful, even when physical conditions were adequate. It was used most in poor countries which lacked child welfare alternatives.
Abstract
Some countries which legally permitted children in prison, including New Zealand, Ireland, and Luxembourg, actually discouraged the practice. Four countries responding to the survey did not allow children or babies in prison for any amount of time, while all other responding nations had at least one facility that allowed women to keep infants born in prison. Most countries allow women to bring children with them under certain circumstances. National policies can generally be classified according to the age of the child. The study found a large disparity in many countries between official policy and actual practice. The NGO Alliance recommended use of alternatives to institutionalization for the mother whenever possible, and separate facilities for children who must stay within prison walls. 1 table