The impact of maternal incarceration on mothers and children: A scoping review protocol

Lynn Fenton, Daragh Bradshaw, Rose Galvin, Luke Slattery, Fiona Donson, Aisling Parkes, Leonie Ludwig, Elaine Rogers, Srijani Bose and Anca Minescu

PLOS ONE, 2026, vol. 21, issue 8, 1-8

Abstract: Globally, female incarceration rates have risen in recent decades. Estimates indicate that between 60–80% of incarcerated women are mothers. Maternal incarceration (MI) is associated with negative and often enduring implications for both the mother and child. Recognising the risk of harmful outcomes, evidence-based support for both populations is essential. However, this broad research topic draws interest from academics and practitioners across many distinct but overlapping disciplines, each with different priorities, and methodological and theoretical approaches. Interdisciplinary collaboration remains rare. Consequently, available evidence is spread across different platforms and lacks overview, making it difficult to identify and access key findings, or establish where research gaps exist. Together, these factors hinder researchers and practitioners and constrain efforts to develop evidence‑based support, a task often undertaken by non-governmental organisations already operating with limited resources. Addressing the current lack of overview, this review aims to systematically map the available primary and secondary evidence. Specifically, we seek to explore the overarching research question: ‘What empirical evidence is available that documents the impact of MI on (a) mothers and (b) children?’ Following the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual and Population/Concept/Context framework, a comprehensive search will be conducted across six multidisciplinary databases. Relevant papers will be exported to Covidence and screened by independent reviewers against pre-established inclusion criteria. Included papers will be mapped and relevant information charted using EPPI-Reviewer. Findings will document the scope of the available evidence and identify gaps in our current understanding, creating a helpful resource that can inform future research, advise policy and practice, and guide evidence-based support.

Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0355209

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0355209

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