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. 2025 Jun 2;13(1):36.
doi: 10.1186/s40352-025-00343-7.

Maternal health and incarceration: advancing pregnancy justice through research

Camille Kramer  1 , Denae Bradley  2 , Rebecca J Shlafer  3 , Carolyn Sufrin  4   5
Affiliations

Maternal health and incarceration: advancing pregnancy justice through research

Camille Kramer et al. Health Justice. .

Abstract

This paper will review the state of the science on maternal health and incarceration. We will provide a historical context on women, pregnancy, and mothers as it relates to mass incarceration, considering both structural racism and reproductive justice. We will discuss existing research that documents care, treatment, and outcomes of individuals who are incarcerated while pregnant or postpartum in the United States. We will discuss the implications of carceral exposure on birthing people and their families. By synthesizing current research and relevant policies, we will identify gaps that will then inform a research agenda for the next decade, including methods and content, to address inequities in and improve maternal and infant outcomes among pregnant and parenting people exposed to incarceration.

Keywords: Incarceration; Jails; Maternal health; Postpartum; Pregnancy; Prisons.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Not Applicable since this is a review paper. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

References

    1. Abbott, L. (2023). Pregnancy and new motherhood in prison during the COVID-19 pandemic. Policy Press.
    1. ACOG. (2018). ACOG Committee Opinion No. 736: Optimizing Postpartum Care. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 131(5), e140–e150. 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002633 - PubMed
    1. Advocacy and Research on Reproductive Wellness of Incarcerated People. (2024). Pregnant While Incarcerated- Anti-Shackling Legislation and Resource Table. https://arrwip.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ARRWIP-Anti-shackling-legi...
    1. Alexander M. (2010). The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. New York: New Press.
    1. Alternatives In Criminal Justice System And Pregnant Persons, HB23–1187, Colorado General Assembly 2023 Regular Session.

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