Are custodial-based mothers and children's units evaluated, effective and aligned with a human rights-based approach? - A systematic review of the evidence

Jo Taylor; Tazeen Majeed; Marc Remond; Tanmay Bagade; Layla Edwards; Elizabeth Sullivan

doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102496

Are custodial-based mothers and children's units evaluated, effective and aligned with a human rights-based approach? - A systematic review of the evidence

EClinicalMedicine. 2024 Feb 15:69:102496. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102496. eCollection 2024 Mar.

Authors

Jo Taylor¹, Tazeen Majeed¹, Marc Remond¹, Tanmay Bagade¹, Layla Edwards², Elizabeth Sullivan^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia.
² Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Australia.
³ Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, Sydney, Australia.

Abstract

Background: Special considerations are warranted for incarcerated mothers and their children, as both experience substantial health and social disadvantage. Children residing in custodial settings are at risk of not having access to the equivalence of education, healthcare and socialisation commensurate to that of children living in the community. This systematic review describes the existing evidence regarding underpinning theories, accessibility, and the effectiveness of custody-based Mothers and children's units (M&Cs) globally.

Methods: A systematic database search was conducted on May 1, 2023, of PsycINFO, Scopus, Sociology Ultimate and Web of Science (January 1, 2010, and May 1, 2023).

Findings: Our systematic synthesis reveals evidence gaps related to best practice guidelines that align with a human right-based approach, and evaluations of the impact of the prison environment on mothers and their children.

Interpretation: These findings support re-design of M&Cs using co-design to develop units that are evidence-based, robustly evaluated, and underpinned by the 'best interest of the child'.

Funding: This systematic review was conducted as part of a broader review into M&C programs commissioned and funded by Corrective Services NSW, Australia (CSNSW), a division of the Department of Communities and Justice, as part of the NSW Premier's Priority to Reduce Recidivism within the Women as Parents workstream. No funding was received for this review.

Keywords: Effectiveness; Evaluation; Human rights; Incarcerated mothers; Mothers and children's units.