Living with the loss of a child: mothers in the criminal justice system

Bereaved mothers have expressed the need to maintain a bond with their children who have died, to retain control over the funeral rituals, and to express their loss to others who are empathetic. This study describes grief over the loss of a child in women who have been or are currently incarcerated, and the influence of the women's family members.

This descriptive qualitative study consisted of open-ended interview questions to encourage the women to describe their experience in their own words. A purposive sample (N = 10) was recruited from a prison re-entry program and a county jail.

All of the participants described maladaptive responses such as the use of alcohol and drugs, restricted family support, and dysfunctional coping. None of the participants had received focused bereavement services.

The descriptive perspective from the participants can inform clinicians who work with women who have a history of involvement with the criminal justice system, and recommends that they should inquire about the women's children and experiences with loss. Community re-entry and jail/prison counselors should provide access to confidential and group-based therapeutic support, including Compassionate Friends.