Volunteer perspectives on working with imprisoned mothers in Aotearoa : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, New Zealand
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2022
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Massey University
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This study seeks to better understand volunteers’ experiences when working with incarcerated mothers. This research explores the challenges and tensions volunteers negotiate doing this work, focusing on the social powers of gender, race, and class. The literature review argues that incarcerated mothers occupy the intersection of social powers; they are usually socioeconomically disadvantaged Māori mothers who represent one of Aotearoa’s most marginalised populations. My research seeks to answer the question: How does the unique perspective of the volunteers open up possibilities for change for imprisoned mothers? Reflective thematic analysis informed by feminist standpoint and intersectionality theory positions the volunteers as experts of their lived experience and recognises the complex intersections of social power on individuals’ lives. I interviewed 10 prison volunteers who worked with imprisoned mothers seeking to strengthen the connection between mothers and their children. Volunteers were transformed during this work. Perspectives on prisoners, prisons, and society are shifted, turning the volunteers into advocates for imprisoned mothers. Through this work, volunteers become conscientised to their own privilege, which they harnessed to mitigate the disadvantages of imprisoned mothers. By listening to the mothers and being subordinated by the institutional authority of the prison, volunteers developed a shifting trifurcated perspective of the challenges of imprisoned mothers. This unique perspective and situated knowledge allowed the volunteers to witness, describe, and provide practical solutions to some injustices the mothers faced while in prison. While volunteers concluded that prison does not work to keep people safe or rehabilitate, they recognised that transformational changes take time. They offered ameliorative solutions that could immediately alleviate the separation distress of imprisoned mothers and their children. My analysis recognises that prison volunteers’ knowledge can positively contribute to their own lives and the lives of imprisoned mothers, their children, and broader society.
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Māori Masters Thesis