Children of Women Prisoners in Jails: A Study in Uttar Pradesh

Imprisonment of mothers with dependent young child is a problematic issue. The effects of incarceration can be catastrophic on the children and costly to the state in terms of providing for their care. Children should not be allowed to stay in jails. The children of women prisoners living with them in jails are being deprived of their basic rights, entitlements and amenities for their development. Against this backdrop, this study reviews the status of women prisoners and their young children living with them, suggesting policy measures for their development. This is an empirical study and is based on mainly primary data collected through field survey in selected jails of Uttar Pradesh, India.