Children Accompanying Mothers in Jail. A Research Study

In view of the prevailing situation of prisoners in most parts of Pakistan and in particular the plight of vulnerable groups like women and children, urgent action is needed to address their needs. It is a recognised fact that children have specific requirements in different development stages in their lives which are crucial for the formulation of healthy values, attitudes and behaviours as productive adults. The primary objective of this study, initiated by Save the Chilren Sweden, was to identify the needs of children accompanying their mothers in nine prison facilities in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa (KPK), located in the north-west of the country. The reintegration of these children into mainstream society is also an issue of concern, as they spend years in confinement and might be unable to cope with regular life out of prison either after being separated from their mothers at some point in time or when the mother’s sentence has ended. The findings from this research will enable the formulation of appropriate and effective interventions that can improve the conditions of the children who accompany their mothers in jails.