Currently, 58% of women in prison are mothers, many of whom struggle to maintain their maternal identity in a restrictive environment (Bertram, 2023). Motherhood involves various practices that reinforce maternal identity, such as daily caregiving, emotional support, and involvement in children's education and routines. However, incarceration limits these opportunities, disrupting the mother-child bond and challenging the mothers' sense of maternal identity. This study explores the experiences of incarcerated mothers, focusing on how their maternal identities are affected and reformed during incarceration. Through a survey conducted with women across multiple penal institutions, this research aims to fill a gap in the literature that predominantly centers on the impact of maternal incarceration on children, rather than on the mothers themselves. By giving voice to these women and examining their self-reported data, this research seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of the complexities of maternal identity in the context of incarceration and to inform better practices and policies that support incarcerated mothers. Findings in this study found that incarcerated mothers vary in cognitive operations as based on race/ethnicity.
