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Although the number of mothers with histories of drug addiction who are incarcerated has grown substantially in recent years, there is little information on their unique characteristics and vulnerability. Undertaken to address this issue, this study examined data on 167 incarcerated drug-abusing mothers from Baltimore City who had volunteered for a parenting program offered at a Maryland correctional facility. Prior to entering this program, mothers who consented to participate completed a battery of assessment measures, which included an extensive interview covering their early developmental and current experiences, along with standardized instruments measuring psychological adjustment and parenting satisfaction. Analyses of these data focused on the link between risk/protective factor information drawn from the early development experiences of the mothers and their current adjustment status. Results revealed significant relationships between higher risk levels and less favorable current adjustment. Implications of the findings of the study for both prevention and clinical intervention efforts targeting both mothers and their children are discussed. Keywords: Incarcerated mothers, drug abuse, parenting, risk factors, BACKGROUND Over the past decade, there has been a steady growth in the incarcerated female population throughout the United States. According to Beck (1), between 1990 and 1999, the female [...]

The characteristics, present circumstances and behavior, and developmental histories of the 9- to 14-year-old children of inner-city drug-abusing incarcerated mothers were examined in a study in order to inform the development and implementation of prevention efforts undertaken in their behalf. In almost all the cases, there was a definite need for the provision of caseworker support services to the current caregivers of the children, which was usually a grandmother or other family member.