"I Have Already Lost My Kids": Mothering Experiences of Women in Jail.

Although women represent a small proportion of the incarcerated population globally, their rate of incarceration in the United States has increased dramatically over the past four decades, outpacing that of men. As carceral trends return to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, jail populations continue to rise, with most incarcerated women being mothers of young children. Yet, research on motherhood behind bars has largely focused on prisons rather than jails. This study explores the mothering experiences of women incarcerated in two U.S. Midwestern jails, including both pretrial detainees and sentenced individuals. Using qualitative data from in-depth interviews with jailed mothers, the analysis examines their parenting experiences before and during incarceration. Findings reveal that many women had limited contact with their children prior to incarceration, reflecting intersecting social and structural barriers that shape mothering within the criminal legal system. The study concludes with policy implications for promoting non-custodial alternatives, supporting incarcerated mothers, and strengthening family relationships.