CHAPTER 5: SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND

RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Introduction

The preceding chapter has so far presented and analysed the research findings based on data that

emerged from the interviews conducted by the researcher. This chapter presents the summary of

findings, overall conclusions of the study. It must be emphasized that the aim of the study was to

explore the experiences of circumstantial children of incarcerated mothers in selected prisons in

Harare, Zimbabwe. The chapter also provides recommendations and implications for the further

research.

5.2 Summary of findings

The findings of the study are summarised below as follows.

5.2.1 Mental health related behaviour challenge

It was established that children of incarcerated mothers experience a number of mental health-

related behaviour challenges that stems from the living conditions, the food they eat and the

confinement of children in prison. These children experience aggressive behaviour, low-self-

esteem, can display bullying behaviour, hyperactive disorder, stress and anxiety.

5.2.2 Childhood needs

It can be noted that, children of incarcerated mothers living in prison have less privilege in terms

of access to basic childhood needs. These children are not included in the dietary scale, they are

not offered proper shelter for them to grow well, and they are not provided with adequate

blankets because space was not created for them in prisons. It was also found that, access to
basic education is lacking for children living with their incarcerated mothers. There are no proper

learning and teaching materials in prisons hence learning from the prison is difficult.

5.2.3 Access to separate accommodation from other incarcerated mothers

The study summarises that incarcerated mothers who are living with their children in prison are

not being provided with separate rooms where they can raise their children. These mothers rather

are forced to stay together in large crowds and share same prison cells with their babies. It was

noted that there are no adequate prison facilities to allow every mother with a child to stay in her

own cell with the baby, resulting in mixing up of incarcerated mothers.

5.2.4 Challenges regarding the implementation of laws concerning children

Study results revealed that, the Prison Act has gaps and contradictory paragraphs. The Act allows

children of incarcerated mothers to stay in prison with their mothers. However, the same Act

does not provide food, clothes and blankets for the children. As a result this has made it difficult

for prison authorities to enforce the law.

5.3 Conclusion

From the foregoing analysis and discussions in chapter four, the following conclusions were

made.

5.3.1 Mental health related behaviour challenge

This research has shed light on the experiences of children of incarcerated mothers who are

living in prison in selected Zimbabwean prisons. The study concludes that, the prison conditions

are the living conditions have some detrimental negative mental health behaviour challenges to

children. Living in such pathetic conditions were they are exposed to violence and criminals, the
children experience stress, low self-esteem, anxiety and they can be very aggressive and violent.

Their everyday life in prison make them to display some mental health disorders such as high

delinquency and stress.

5.3.2 Childhood needs

It can be concluded that, children of incarcerated mothers living in prison are not catered for

when it comes to childhood needs such as food, basic education, clothes and blankets. The prison

authorities only give food to the mother and the mother then shares her food with the child. The

research concludes that, this undermines and violate the right of children as enshrined in the

constitution and international protocols on children’s rights.

5.3.3 Access to separate accommodation from other incarcerated mothers

The research concludes that incarcerated mothers who are living with their children in prison are

given separate accommodation to raise their children. In fact, these are mothers are forced to stay

with their babies together with other mothers. Such living conditions expose children to diseases,

violence and criminal behaviour. As such, their mental health development and cognitive

development is affected.

5.3.4 Challenges regarding the implementation of laws concerning children

The study concludes that, the existing laws concerning children of incarcerated mothers living in

prison are contradictory. The study concludes that, there is no synergy between these laws as the

children are allowed to stay with their mothers in prison but at the same time it excludes them

from the dietary scale. Such gaps in the law affects the welfare of children living with their

incarcerated mothers.
5.4 Recommendations

Based on the findings of the study and conclusions drawn above, the researcher made the

following recommendations.

- It is recommended that government through the Ministry of Justice, Legal and

Parliamentary Affairs should harmonize the contradicting laws concerning children living

in prison with their incarcerated mothers so that children can be provided with food that

meets their dietary.

- It is also recommended that, ZPCS authorities should involve the DSD in the welfare of

children living in prison with their mothers so that a conducive environment for children

is created.

- There is need for psycho-social support to be extended to children living with their

mother in prison. This is because support has been mainly give to mothers who are

incarcerated and the children have been largely ignored thereby making their life difficult

whilst in prison. In fact, children living with their mothers in prison have become

forgotten daughters and sons of the prison. As such, support is needed to ensure that they

are well catered for.

- The ZPCS should also lobby civil society organisations and private companies to help

build schools in prisons as well as mental health counselling service centres. This is
 because mental health challenges of children are undermined yet these children

experience a lot of mental health related challenges.

- The government should also consider non-custodial (community service) sentences on

women with children who have committed minor offenses because prisons are not

conducive places to raise children or bring children.

5.5 Suggestion for further research

The current study was conducted in few selected prisons in Harare focusing on lived experiences

of children living with their mothers in prison. As such, there is need to broaden the scope of the

study and include other prisons at national level. Another suggestion for further research would

be to conduct a study investigating the psychological impact of staying in prison on children.