Question

Discuss how a psychologist or other mental health professionals can foster positive mother/child relationships when a mother is incarcerated.

Answer 1

One of the most difficult parts in a child’s life is when the mother is not present with them to nurture them but a mother going to jail is the toughest part the child will undergo. If the sentence is for a long term, there will be little interaction between the mother and the child. The first thing the child would ask is why is my mother in jail? Is she not good? It’s the responsibility of the psychologist to convince the child that everyone in this world make mistakes and at this time the child’s mother has done a mistake out of emotional outburst. The second thing is to convince the child that the separation is only temporary and she will return after the jail term. Third thing is to build possible communication channels such as telephone, writing letters and visiting whenever possible. This continuous communication will help them express themselves and their love for each other.