The number of women incarcerated throughout the world is steadily increasing. Many of these are mothers and Ireland is no exception. The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) published, in March 2023, a study on maternal imprisonment. It examines the numbers and experiences of mothers imprisoned in Ireland, as well as those of their children, and makes recommendations for action.

Ashling Tobin works at IPRT as Children & Families Initiative Project Coordinator. She was involved in preparing the report. Prison Insider asked her three questions.

PI. What situations do incarcerated mothers and their children face?

PI. Is motherhood taken into account in sentencing?

PI. How can women’s caretaking responsibilities be considered better in sentencing?