Arrested mothers, helpless children: Motherhood and interpersonal relationships in prison

Abstract

This study aimed to elucidate the repercussion of the imprisonment of women in the context of maternity and interpersonal relations established before and during the fulfillment of the sentence. This is an exploratory and cross-sectional research with a qualitative design, with 15 participants arrested in closed regime. A total of 13 semi-structured interviews and 3 focus groups were conducted between April and July 2017. The data were submitted to a content analysis. It was concluded that the precariousness of interpersonal relations, established during the fulfillment of the sentence, influence the possibilities of exercising maternity in the prison context. Therefore, investments are needed to mediate the prison environment, making it more conducive to interpersonal relationships among prisoners, which may provide a less hostile environment for the reception of visitors, with a view to strengthening ties with children and relatives.