Description
It is noted in most literature that sound mental health is built for children in early life and is reliant on relationships, especially those with their mothers (Center on the Developing Child, 2013). However, allowing female prisoners to keep their infants with them in prison until the child is 30 months old is a complex issue that involves careful consideration of the emotional well-being of the child, the safety and developmental environment within the prison, and the potential impact on the mother’s rehabilitation. While exploring this discussion, I found that it can be both good and bad for the child’s development. To start, an argument that can be made for allowing the infant to stay in prison is centred on the importance of bonding and attachment between the mother and child. As explained in this week’s lecture, having early exposure to a nurturing environment can positively influence the infant’s emotional development. In addition, keeping the infant with their mother allows for breastfeeding support, which also contributes to the child’s health. Finally, reducing separation anxiety and minimizing the stigma and trauma associated with separation are important considerations in favour of this.However, some concerns can be raised regarding the safety of infant within a prison environment and that environment may not be equipped to meet their unique needs. Developmental limitations may arise due to inadequate resources and facilities within a prison environment. Since prisons are not always the best-funded, this can hinder the child’s cognitive and social development. It is also important to consider the impact on the mother as she navigates the challenges of parenting while incarcerated. These arguments may suggest that since there is a probability of inconsistent care, it may compromise the child’s well-being, meaning they may be better off with other family members or placed in foster care.In conclusion, the decision to allow infants in prison requires a balance between maintaining the mother-infant bond and addressing the challenges inherent in the prison environment. I believe that each case has unique circumstances and it requires a thoughtful and nuanced approach, considering the interests of the child, and the mother. (Billie)
