the impact of secure services for women and their children

Michelle CarrInvisible Victims ConferenceMay 2013

“A women’s sense of self becomes very much organized around being able to make and then to maintain affiliation and relationships Eventually for many women the threat of disruption of connections is perceived not just as a loss of a relationship, but as something closer to a total loss of self.”

[p. 83]

On average three changes of carer before the age of sixteen

More than 60% -80% women in secure care have been sexually abused during childhood

Had experienced five negative life events prior to incarceration (Slotboom et al., 2011)

Victims of DV as teenagers and adults (with children present?)

The women flooding our criminal justice system are mostly young, poor, and undereducated, with complex histories of trauma and addiction.

Her involvement in crime is often economically motivated, driven by poverty and /or substance abuse. Most are nonviolent and pose no threat to the community.

[Covington & Bloom, 2003]

The Thematic Review in to women in prison (2010) reported that 55% of women in prison have children under the age of eighteen.

76.5% of the women had assumed day to day responsibility for their child’s care prior to incarceration.

91.1% had contact with children at least once a week prior to incarceration. (Houck & Loper, 2002).

Most representations of incarcerated women portray them as inadequate, incompetent mothers who are unable to provide adequately for the needs of their children (Coll et al., 1998).

Despite the fact that many women are sole carers for children, only 30% of women in 2006–08 said that staff had checked whether they had any problems ensuring dependants were being looked after. Thematic Review (2010)

“A woman forms her identity in relation to others, and to strip a woman of this and

subsequently expose her to a psychologically negative, stressful environment can be devastating,

highlighting how harmful separation from dependants and social support networks

can be for women”.

Difficulties voiced by the women in services

Misdemeanours

Coping strategies

These women can be re-traumatised by common institutional practices in prison and hospital.

“Female pseudofamilies have not only parents and children but also grandparents, aunts, and cousins. The families incorporate

the jealousy and role-playing found in traditional male-female relationships. They

provide a meaningful social life and interpersonal support for the prisoners”

[p.411]

Developmental/ Biological Theories Attachment Theory/ Relational Theory The Tilt Review (2000) Women’s mental health: Into the mainstream,

strategic development of mental health care for women. DoH (2002)

Mainstreaming gender and women’s mental health: Implementation guidance. DoH (2003)

The Corston Report (2007) Thematic Review in to Women's Prisons (2010) Not Seen. Not Heard. Not Guilty (2008)

“Many women still define themselves and are defined by others by their role in the family. It is an important component in our sense of identity and self esteem. To become a prisoner is almost by definition to become a bad mother. If she has a husband or partner then again almost by definition she will become a bad wife or partner. Separating her from her family is for many the equivalent of separating a man from his job.”

[p.20]

PTSD→ dissociation, auditory & visual hallucinations Emotional state –depression, anxiety, anger Affect regulation Self view → low self esteem guilt, shame Self-harm Behaviour –sexualised, disruptive Social interaction → Abusive relationships Cognitive and Educational Progress Psychiatric disorders (e.g. ADHD, autism) Developmental Milestones →Growth, eating, sleep Non-organic physical problems (including somatic

symptomology, wetting and soiling) Identity

Behavioural disturbances → Difficult for caregivers to manage → Various placements

Peer victimization → Mistrustful of others Lower levels of

supervision → Higher levels of riskier behaviours

Consistent caregivers → Family members Stable, safe home environment Levels of resilience Level of understanding/ cognitive ability Maintaining contact with mother Having a confidant Positive peer support and understanding Identifying with non-criminal lifestyles Large repertoire of coping strategies

UK Strip searching abolished Therapeutic Communities First night and arrival procedures Gender – Responsive Programs

Helping Women Recover The Sanctuary Model Women in Prison

Staff should have made an active choice to work with women and have an understanding of gender issues and empowerment, in addition to having the requisite clinical skills.

Individuals working with women and children who have been separated must develop a shared understanding of the complex relationships and psychopathology of all individuals involved.

Each of us is inextricably bound to others. All human action, (even the act of a single individual) is relational.

Gilligan, 1996