Impact of the Drug Act on Foreign Mothers Incarcerated in Arica

This study features the results of a qualitative study among foreign mothers in detention for drug offenses in the city of Arica, Chile, and the impact of the amendment of the Drug Law, which prevents judges from ordering deportation as an alternative to incarceration, has had on them. The participants were foreign mothers -the majority with indigenous backgrounds- who were the main financial support in the homes. The results revealed that foreign women have a low level of participation within criminal networks with an absence of violence in the commission of their offenses. But, more importantly, findings showed that prisons have a severe impact on their personal and family life, especially when it separates a mother from children who depend on her and have low support networks in their home country.