Children of Women in prison

Worldwide, women prisoners have higher levels of mental disorders and depression than male prisoners. Women are at risk of being murdered by their families after release from prison, if they have committed moral offenses. In most countries, women constitute a minority of the prison population usually between 2% and 8%.

Many women in prison are mothers and usually the sole or primary carers for their children. This results in large numbers of children being institutionalized when women are imprisoned, since the fathers often fail to care for the children. Children of women in prison are among the world’s most forgotten and destitute populations. Children of women in prison are the hidden victims of crime. When there is no one -outside- to care for them, and when the government are not able to meet all their needs, ironically the little ones are serving time behind bars with their mothers. Many children of prisoners experience rejection, poverty, and despair. So, in other words, prisoners are not the only ones affected by their crimes. Their children often suffer the most. Hidden, innocent victims—whole generations of children of prisoners are suffering, and in some cases, paying the ultimate price for the crimes committed by their parents. Children of imprisoned mother have experienced various psychological and behavioral challenges due to their parent imprisonment. Through Human Dignity Tanzania, we are looking forward to seeing how to support children of the prisoners to acquire their basic needs and be able to integrate within the community as normal children whose parents are not behind the bar. Human Dignity Tanzania is aiming to establish contact between detainees with their children at home and help them meet basic needs.

Leave a Reply