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Although the female prison population continues to grow, the needs of inmate women, and particularly inmate mothers, largely are being ignored. Sandra Enos' book, Mothering from the Inside: Parenting in a Women's Prison, explores how women manage their roles as mothers while serving time in prison. The book unfolds through the voices of inmate mothers as they speak about their experiences and perspectives on mothering while incarcerated. Sandra Enos' research is particularly timely and important since now, more than ever, families are being torn apart by the incarceration craze. Enos sheds light on the various dilemmas inmate mothers face, such as insufficient access to positive parenting programs and constant fear that they will be negatively affected by recent child welfare reforms. (See, e.g., p. 59)
The book begins with a review of prior research on inmate mothers. Past research on this subject addresses issues such as where children reside following incarceration of their mothers, the impact imprisonment has on these children, programs available to help women and children maintain a bond during incarceration, and reunification following incarceration. (pp. 4-8) Enos argues that the effects of race, ethnicity, and class on inmate mothers and their children has yet to receive adequate attention. (p. 8) She discusses several studies that examine the impact of race and ethnicity on inmate mothers and the placement of children. (pp. 8-12) This summary of prior research provides an interesting look into the patterns among white, African-American, and Hispanic mothers in prison.
Enos' own research on inmate motherhood and family ties attempts to link race and ethnicity with women's different views of their mothering roles. Her review facilitates a discussion of varying ideas about what constitutes a good mother, whom one defines as family members, and family response in times of crisis. According to Enos, these concepts differ significantly across race, ethnicity, and class. (p. 42) Enos identifies five major issues facing inmate mothers: arranging and facilitating caretakers, demonstrating fitness as mothers to official agencies and others involved, managing motherhood tasks and...