Disrupted Childhoods: Children of Women in Prison

The challenges faced by children of incarcerated mothers are discussed. The strength of this book is that it incorporates first-person accounts of the affected children and mothers. This book is divided into two parts following an introduction to the journeying into the worlds of prisoners' children. Part One—the period following arrest through sentencing: living with mom – most of the time; outside the curtained windows—keeping the world out; and the ubiquity of violence. Part Two—the impact on the children of various steps in the criminal justice system: when the criminal justice system comes calling; they all do the time—children, mothers, and caregivers; and what lies ahead after the mothers release from prison.