Caring for Women Going Through Care Proceedings in the Perinatal Period While in Prison

Abstract

Aims

This literature review aims to identify and understand the mental health needs of women in prison going through care proceedings in the perinatal period, in order for professionals to effectively care and support these women. Mental health difficulties in the perinatal period has been found to effect up to 27% of new and expectant mothers. The likelihood of experiencing these specific mental health issues is increased when there is past psychiatric and/or trauma history. Women in prison are more likely to have experienced childhood adversity and have psychiatric illnesses than the general population, which make them more susceptible to developing perinatal mental ill health. It has also been acknowledged that going through care proceedings can impact maternal mental health, which in prison brings specific and unique challenges. Therefore, the perinatal women in prison who are going through these proceedings have specific needs that have previously been overlooked, which this literature review aims to identify.

Methods

The databases searched for literature written since 2008 were: PubMed, PsychNet, Web of Science, Springer Link. Search strategy key words were: prison, perinatal, care proceedings and maternal mental health. Data were then collected and summarised thematically. 16 studies met the inclusion criteria.

Results

The negative effects of going through care proceedings during the perinatal period include: earlier rates of maternal mortality, increased trauma symptoms, lack of support and increase in shame and issues with self-esteem and identity. Additionally, literature that focused specifically on women in prison going through care proceedings, found additional effects such as increased self-harming behaviours and depressive mood symptoms.

In order to address these difficulties, the following interventions have been recommended: more trauma informed training for professionals, oppositional identity work, a focus on building Epistemic Trust and ensuring interventions are delivered within 18 months of removal as this has been identified as a window of opportunity to make meaningful impact.

Conclusion

Going through care proceedings in the perinatal period has been identified as a significant challenge for mothers, which has increased complexity for women in prison. This literature review highlights the need for specific trauma-informed support and specialist perinatal mental health interventions for this population. Future research should focus on identifying the needs of women in prison going through care proceedings further, as it has previously been overlooked.