Two sides of the same coin: maternal imprisonment, trauma and attachment in a prison child

Tadić, Violeta and Kordić, Boris (2024) Two sides of the same coin: maternal imprisonment, trauma and attachment in a prison child. In: Prison environment: a female perspective. Institute of Criminological and Sociological Research, Belgrade, pp. 79-92. ISBN 978-86-80756-68-4

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Abstract

The aim of this paper is to show how early traumatic experiences and problems in the life of mothers can change the quality of mother-child attachment and affect later growth and development. Maternal imprisonment represents a significant problem that affects not only women who are in prison, but also, above all, their children. Traumatic experiences that precede the deprivation of freedom are passed down from generation to generation, so problems in the mother's life can disrupt the early mother-child relationship and negatively affect the quality of attachment. This can represent a significant source of trauma for children and has a negative impact on their upbringing and future socio-emotional and psychological development. Certainly, we must not ignore the fact that mothers also suffer if they are separated from their children, because motherhood is an essential element of a mother's emotional life and well-being, both in prison and in freedom. Therefore, these mothers need support, both in prison and after release, so that they can be good enough mothers and provide the child with conditions for optimal growth and development.

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