The Impact of Alternatives to Incarceration and the Motherhood Identity on Mothers and Their Children: A Qualitative Study

The U.S. prison system population increasingly includes women, a significant proportion of whom are mothers, often incarcerated for non-violent crimes. Some research suggests that alternative to incarceration (ATI) programs can help these women to continue supporting their children while serving their sentences and receiving services that may decrease recidivism. However, few studies have explored the lived experiences of women in these programs. This dissertation investigates the impact of participating in ATI programs on mothers and their relationship to their motherhood identity, their ability to mother, and their relationship with their children. Using a qualitative approach to better understand how women make sense of their experiences, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 women participating in ATI programs in the Midwestern U.S., the locations of the partnering agencies. The sample ranged in age from 29–50, with 9 women identifying as White non-Hispanic, 2 identifying as Black non-Hispanic, and 1 identifying as Native American and Hispanic. The participants had 1 to 9 children, ranging in age from as young as 11 months old, to as old as 26, with various combinations of sons and daughters. The interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) resulted in 5 overarching themes for the data: loving motherhood, even when it’s tough; remaining connected to motherhood while in the system requires effort; alternative to incarceration (ATI) experience has both challenges and rewards; mothers worked to navigate supports and barriers, while building more support going forward; and working towards the future. The results revealed the challenges and rewards of motherhood within the justice system, including concerns about their children's well-being and future relationships, the factors that led to their involvement with the system, and the struggles to overcome past traumas and maintain sobriety. Participants also reflected on the positive skills and outcomes gained from these programs, navigating support systems and the challenges within those relationships, and how their experiences can serve as a foundation for future success and growth. The sample of women also identified systemic barriers (lack of resources, travel difficulties, and inadequate supports) that contributed to their involvement in the system. This study sheds light on the need for more research and resources specific to this population. Findings suggest that systemic issues, including racial disparities, lack of resources, and the challenges of maintaining family connections, affect women’s ability to successfully navigate the justice system. The research also calls for expanded ATI programs, better community-based support, and targeted interventions for women, their children, and families to improve outcomes and break the cycle of incarceration. In addition, the study highlights a need for policies and practices that better address the intersection of motherhood and justice involvement, along with advocating for more supportive environments that enable success, family reunification, and personal growth.