To investigate attitudes towards the use of Mother and Baby Units (MBUs) and the possible use of overnight stays for children in the Community Custodial Units (CCUs) in the new custodial estate in Scotland.

Abstract

This dissertation is an investigation into the attitudes towards the use of Mother and Baby Units (MBUs) and the possible use of overnight stays for children in Community Custodial Units (CCUs), in the new custodial estate in Scotland. Scotland is currently undergoing transformative change in custodial provision for women and, with women continuing to receive visits from their children and give birth whilst in custody, now is the time to consider the provision of spaces to promote attachment between mothers and children living in or visiting a custodial environment. The intention to investigate, using two phases, anonymous
questionnaires with mothers and interviews with staff, allowed the responses from the mothers from the Phase 1 questionnaires to be taken into the Phase 2 staff interviews. This research will add to the existing body of knowledge relating to the separation of mothers from their children, including those who are pregnant in the Scottish custodial estate. By reviewing my findings, alongside existing polices and legislation, as well any academic literature already available the dissertation finds that, there is a lot of uncertainty in relation to what levels of support are available to mothers and children affected by parental imprisonment and what is in the best interest of the child. The findings suggest that more support is required for mothers and children to promote and maintain attachment whilst a mother is in custody. The overall attitudes indicated that the use of MBUs should continue as they can improve bonding and attachment in the early stages. There were mixed responses on the possibility of overnight stays in the CCUs for other children and attitudes indicated that more information was required, as well as new legislation to allow for it. Suggested areas for further research include, revisiting the CCUS once they are open to
explore any benefits and challenges and, to investigate if the CCU model of custody could be offered to fathers in custody to promote a more gender-neutral approach to the currentcustodial offer in Scotland.