“We’re Not Being Treated Like Mothers”: Listening to the Stories of First Nations Mothers in Prison

Thalia Anthony, Gemma Sentance and Larissa Behrendt
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Thalia Anthony: Faculty of Law, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
Gemma Sentance: Faculty of Law, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
Larissa Behrendt: Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia

Laws, 2021, vol. 10, issue 3, 1-19

Abstract: This article is based on research with over 160 First Nations women in prisons in New South Wales, Australia. The research identified the lived experience of prison sentences for First Nations women in prison. Our research methodology was guided by an Aboriginal women’s advisory body called sista2sista. It was based on the principles of Dadirri in which we listened to the stories of First Nations women in prison on their terms . Consequently, many stories we heard were not about the criminal sentencing process itself, but about the impacts of imprisonment on their capacity to be caregivers in the community, including as mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, teachers and role models. The findings from this research are dual. First, the importance of listening to and empowering First Nations women in prison in policy making that concerns First Nations women. Second, the need to decarcerate First Nations mothers and listen and respond to their needs, expectations, priorities and aspirations, to ensure they are supported in fulfilling their role and responsibility to care, nurture, strengthen and lead their families and communities.

Keywords: prisons; first nations mothers; systemic discrimination; child protection; colonialism (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D78 E61 E62 F13 F42 F68 K0 K1 K2 K3 K4 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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