Mothering Justice: Working with Mothers in Criminal and Social Justice Settings - Softcover

'I cannot help but jump around punching the air at this book. Mothering Justice has dared to expose the barriers both in Criminal and Social Justice Areas. Lucy Baldwin et al have delivered a stunning panoramic view of Motherhood. This book brings a sense of power so practitioners and students can begin to challenge the effects of punishment has on women and Motherhood. A courageous look at a powerful force - Mothering Justice is an eye-opening publication bringing the forces of Mother Nature to the Judiciary and Social Justice'-- Criminal Law & Justice Weekly; 'A valuable addition for those working with women in criminal justice, and other statutory/voluntary agencies... A focus on vulnerable mothers and the intricate connections with their children, whether together or apart, is long overdue'-- Probation Journal; `This book will not be the first occasion when concerns about the impact of imprisonment not only on mothers but their children have been publicised. But, unlike the others, the fact that it will contain observations from so many different practitioners, each presenting their own perspective, should be taken very seriously by politicians, to do what needs to be done to prevent avoidable damage on future generations'-- Lord David Ramsbotham; `I absolutely recognise the value and importance of this book which will add to and develop understanding in relation to working with mothers in criminal justice'-- Vicky Pryce (from the Foreword); 'The notion that the majority of women who are in the Criminal Justice System have been failed by a range of services and should never have been in the criminal justice system at all has gained considerable support over recent years. However, what has become increasingly clear in the discourse is that the impact on the lives of not only the children of women in the criminal justice system which is hugely significant and damaging, but on the mothers themselves - and they all deserve better. In telling these stories in such an accessible way there is hope that practitioners will understand that this goes much deeper than a troubled mother's life, and that this will lead to more being done to intervene appropriately at earlier times for both the mother and the children, and that this will change the course of life for women and their children'-- Jackie Russell, Women's Breakout.

Written by experts with first-hand experience, Mothering Justice is the first whole book to take motherhood as a focus for criminal and social justice interventions. Covering the spectrum of interventions it also makes a powerful case that in particular the imprisonment of mothers and its effect on their children is unnecessary, unjust, devastating and wasteful. 'To afford justice to these women, we must "do" justice to motherhood.' 'This book gives voice to mothers, many failed by multiple systems, by highlighting the importance of "understanding" motherhood it serves to inform positive intervention and effective practice in working with vulnerable women': Jackie Russell, Women's Breakout. 'A challenging, interesting and deeply moving book containing the voices of women not often heard': Rona Epstein, University of Coventry. 'Will add to and develop understanding in relation to working with mothers in criminal justice': Vicky Pryce (from the Foreword). 'Should be taken very seriously by politicians, to do what needs to be done to prevent avoidable damage on future generations': Lord David Ramsbotham.