The effect of imprisonment on the personal security of imprisoned mothers and their children in Nyarugenge Prison

Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess the challenges encountered by imprisoned mothers and their children. In addition, it tries to understand how this affects their personal security as individuals and families. Theoretically, the study uses the theorization of personal security and Human Security broadly. Methodologically, the study is qualitative because it tries to understand the perceptions of the imprisoned mothers and their children. This is done through analyzing the subjectivity of the respondents and a qualitative approach does it best. Interviews, focus group discussions were used in the study, and the total number of respondents were 57. The findings of the study indicated that both imprisoned mothers and their children had experienced Psychological trauma, distress, depression, malnutrition, insanity, family stigma and separation. The above strongly affected their personal security and human security in general. The above situation was worsened by the fact that, the effects took long to cure or did not cure at all. In terms of contribution to knowledge, this study empirically contributes to the theorization of personal security as a dimension of human security since not much research has been done on the subject, and specifically focusing on imprisoned mothers and their children.