About
My research project
A comparison of support for mothers in the community and in prisonI am a postgraduate research student at the University of Surrey, investigating mothers’ experiences of support in the community before, during and after prison. This follows on from my MSc in Criminology and the findings from my dissertation which examined the care given to pregnant women in prison. Prior to returning to academia, I amassed many years of professional experience, working in HR in the City of London and running my own business.
Supervisors
I am a postgraduate research student at the University of Surrey, investigating mothers’ experiences of support in the community before, during and after prison. This follows on from my MSc in Criminology and the findings from my dissertation which examined the care given to pregnant women in prison. Prior to returning to academia, I amassed many years of professional experience, working in HR in the City of London and running my own business.
My qualifications
ResearchResearch interests
Many women commence their incarceration experiencing multiple, sometimes undiagnosed mental and physical health problems, deep substance addiction and having suffered a history of abuse and violence. Women are more likely to live in poverty than men and this likelihood is increased for mothers and particularly lone mothers. Nearly half of families living in poverty are lone parents and 90% of these are mothers with studies showing that a large proportion of mothers in prison have committed offences related to poverty or debt. On leaving prison and re-entering the community, mothers experience the same higher chance of homelessness, poor housing, mental health issues and social isolation as childless women but with the added financial, legal and emotional difficulties caused by the care of or separation from their children. Therefore, using a feminist research perspective and methodology, this project intends to gain insight into the community support received by mothers before, during and after their prison sentence.
Research interests
Many women commence their incarceration experiencing multiple, sometimes undiagnosed mental and physical health problems, deep substance addiction and having suffered a history of abuse and violence. Women are more likely to live in poverty than men and this likelihood is increased for mothers and particularly lone mothers. Nearly half of families living in poverty are lone parents and 90% of these are mothers with studies showing that a large proportion of mothers in prison have committed offences related to poverty or debt. On leaving prison and re-entering the community, mothers experience the same higher chance of homelessness, poor housing, mental health issues and social isolation as childless women but with the added financial, legal and emotional difficulties caused by the care of or separation from their children. Therefore, using a feminist research perspective and methodology, this project intends to gain insight into the community support received by mothers before, during and after their prison sentence.