Exploring fathers’ child and family support during Aboriginal mothers’ incarceration

Aboriginal women are one of the fastest-growing subgroups among the Australian incarcerated population. Their incarceration affects increasing numbers of children, families, and communities. Few studies have examined the role of fathers when mothers are incarcerated. Using 49 in-depth interviews with Aboriginal mothers in Western Australian prisons, we explore the types of child and family support fathers provide based on the incarcerated mother’s perspective. Four themes were identified: (1) diverse support and involvement by fathers; (2) absence of father’s support due to death or incarceration; (3) parental cooperation and communication; and (4) supports and challenges to maintaining family networks. Overall, fathers can play important child and family support roles during a mother’s incarceration and contribute to breaking intergenerational cycles of trauma which are exacerbated by incarceration. Measures to ensure Aboriginal traditional family networks are maintained in the face of mass incarceration and redressing the over-criminalisation of Aboriginal women are needed.