Last updated:

October 24, 2024

“Children, tools for violence against imprisoned mothers / Hamed Farmand”

When we talk about women prisoners as a specific group of prisoners, we are talking about intersecting discriminations that affect women differently than male prisoners. Of course, we also consider that multiple oppressions also affect individuals with different gender identities. This note focuses on a specific group of women, namely mothers, who experience discrimination and oppression in various forms. According to the testimonies of women prisoners, in most cases, imprisoned mothers are subjected to psychological abuse with their children. This note focuses on mothers who are in prison with their children.

The writer has been researching the conditions of children and mothers in Iranian prisons for the past eight years, and has also studied examples of child custody in prisons in other countries. Currently, as a member of the global network of child custody centers in prisons, they are engaging in discussions with other experts and activists in different countries. This note is a review of the various forms of violence against mothers who are imprisoned with their children in Iran. It is important to note that in Iran, keeping children in prisons is mandatory for up to two years, unless a judge decides otherwise. Keeping children up to six years old is also possible with the approval of the prison classification council.

Deprivation of basic needs, under the watchful eye of government officials.

“Almost in all prisons and detention centers for women in the Islamic Republic, contrary to internal and international regulations, there are no proper facilities for food and hygiene for prisoners. This shortage is more severe for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children. Despite claims by prison authorities, our research at the International Children’s Institution and the testimony of former prisoners show that food shortages, poor quality of food and water, and contamination of washing water are seen in various forms in all prisons and detention centers for women in the country. High population density is reported in all prisons, and this, along with the poor condition of health services and showers, leads to environmental pollution. In addition to these general conditions, in many prisons, prison guards do not use the available budget to provide basic needs for children, such as diapers, powdered milk, and appropriate clothing for their mothers. In some cases, they even refuse to provide donated items from charities. On the other hand, many women prisoners are also victims of poverty,

Some activists and former prisoners argue that the situation of these women, who are struggling with poverty and sometimes addiction, is not better outside of prison than inside. However, ensuring healthy conditions for the growth of children, according to the Convention on the Rights of the Child – which Iran has also signed – is the responsibility of the government. Although Iran’s general precondition for joining the convention, namely not conflicting with domestic laws and Sharia, is not accepted by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, this precondition does not apply to the government’s duties, such as creating conditions for the growth of children. The conditions in prisons show that not only does the government not fulfill its duties in society, but it is also unable to fulfill its duties even in places under its own supervision.

 

Being with a child in prison is a source of distress and threat for the incarcerated mother.

Many prisons, especially women’s prisons, refrain from providing sports, recreational, and educational services to prisoners. As a result, the polluted and crowded prison environment can also be dull and monotonous. According to many former prisoners, this environment is prone to violence and aggression. Children in prisons are not only at risk of harm, but they can also be the cause of conflicts. Sometimes the natural noises of children, due to hunger, fatigue, or other human needs, can cause annoyance to other prisoners and in some cases, lead to fights between them and the mothers of the prisoners. On the other hand, in some prisons, there have been reports of abuse and violence against children, either to harm them or to take revenge on their mothers. Although in some cases, mothers have not reacted to certain behaviors of other prisoners or guards towards their children due to lack of awareness about different forms of child abuse, this lack of awareness does not justify or excuse the abuse. Being in a vulnerable position in

It is essential to remember that only a few prisons have separate wards for mothers and children. According to our research, these wards still face the same restrictions and public health hazards as the rest of the prison. Furthermore, children, mothers, and sometimes pregnant women living in these wards do not have a stable situation and their conditions deteriorate in certain circumstances – such as when the number of prisoners increases. They may either be joined by other prisoners or be transferred to public wards. However, these temporary conditions are not available for many prisoners and they are always in the public wards. (1).

Collective efforts to prevent violence against incarcerated women.

What has been mentioned here is a summary of the conditions that more or less happen in various prisons throughout Iran. In some of the prisons where there is less news about them, the conditions are even harder for children and mothers. But my intention in mentioning these issues was to emphasize that prison is not a place for children. This is not justifiable from a child’s rights perspective, it does not comply with international rules, and it does not align with psychology and child development. Knowing that the justifications of the government have no scientific or legal basis is the first step in confronting the news and information that we receive from the women’s prisons in the country. Another result of talking about the conditions of imprisoned children and mothers and pregnant women is to encourage female prisoners who are serving temporary or permanent sentences in various prisons to prioritize the issue of children alongside their efforts to inform the public about the prison situation. On the other hand, this note is a reminder to the good-hearted and civil activists that in the

Note:

1- For more information about prison conditions, it is recommended to read the series of reports by Radio Zamaneh written by the author about women’s prisons in various locations, including Kachooi, Urmia, Qarchak, Lakan, Sepidar, Vakilabad, and Khorramabad.

Created By: Hamed Farmand
June 21, 2024

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Addiction Child abuse 2 Childbirth in prison Childcare in prison Children's rights 2 Gender discrimination 2 Hamed Farmand Imprisoned children Mothers of prisoners Peace Treaty 158 Peace Treaty 158 Pregnancy in prison Prisoners of the prison. Women Prisoners Women's prison 2