Laura Abbott
Biographic Data
| ID | 322517 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Laura Abbott |
| GIVEN NAMES | Laura |
| FAMILY NAME | Abbott |
| SIGNATURE | ABBOTT L |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Hertfordshire |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-5778-7559 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 4 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 11 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 4 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2020 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
‘Like having your heart ripped out’: Metaphors of loss and survival in the narratives of incarcerated mothers separated from their babies
This article examines the experiences of women in prison separated from their babies. Based on qualitative data from the Lost Mothers Project, including 29 interviews with imprisoned women, this article adopts a secondary analysis drawing upon conceptual metaphor analysis as a methodological framework. The research revealed that enforced separation inflicts profound emotional and psychological pain, characterised by grief, guilt, shame, and endur…
Institutional thoughtlessness and the incarcerated pregnancy
This article examines the unique experiences of pregnant women in prison, building on Sykes’ concept of the pains of imprisonment and Crawley’s notion of institutional thoughtlessness. Based on qualitative data from an ethnographic study of three English prisons, including interviews with 28 pregnant prisoners and 10 staff members and field observations, the study highlights the lack of basic provisions for pregnant women, such as adequate nutrit…
Compulsory separation of women prisoners from their babies following childbirth: Uncertainty, loss and disenfranchised grief
There is growing evidence to show increased mental ill health in women compulsorily separated from their babies at birth (Cantwell et al., MBRRACE-UK, 2018:56). For imprisoned women, the risk of self-harm and suicide may be exacerbated. This article draws on in-depth interviews with a sample of 28 imprisoned pregnant women/new mothers, 10 prison staff and observations to discuss the experience of separation from or anticipation of separation of w…
Pregnancy and childbirth in English prisons: Institutional Ignominy and the Pains of Imprisonment
With a prison population of approximately 9000 women in England, it is estimated that approximately 600 pregnancies and 100 births occur annually. Despite an extensive literature on the sociology of reproduction, pregnancy and childbirth among women prisoners is under-researched. This article reports an ethnographic study in three English prisons undertaken in 2015-2016, including interviews with 22 prisoners, six women released from prison and 1…
Pregnancy and childbirth in English prisons: Institutional Ignominy and the Pains of Imprisonment
With a prison population of approximately 9000 women in England, it is estimated that approximately 600 pregnancies and 100 births occur annually. Despite an extensive literature on the sociology of reproduction, pregnancy and childbirth among women prisoners is under-researched. This article reports an ethnographic study in three English prisons undertaken in 2015-2016, including interviews with 22 prisoners, six women released from prison and 1…
Compulsory separation of women prisoners from their babies following childbirth: Uncertainty, loss and disenfranchised grief
There is growing evidence to show increased mental ill health in women compulsorily separated from their babies at birth (Cantwell et al., MBRRACE-UK, 2018:56). For imprisoned women, the risk of self-harm and suicide may be exacerbated. This article draws on in-depth interviews with a sample of 28 imprisoned pregnant women/new mothers, 10 prison staff and observations to discuss the experience of separation from or anticipation of separation of w…
Pregnancy and childbirth in English prisons: Institutional Ignominy and the Pains of Imprisonment
With a prison population of approximately 9000 women in England, it is estimated that approximately 600 pregnancies and 100 births occur annually. Despite an extensive literature on the sociology of reproduction, pregnancy and childbirth among women prisoners is under-researched. This article reports an ethnographic study in three English prisons undertaken in 2015-2016, including interviews with 22 prisoners, six women released from prison and 1…
Compulsory separation of women prisoners from their babies following childbirth: Uncertainty, loss and disenfranchised grief
There is growing evidence to show increased mental ill health in women compulsorily separated from their babies at birth (Cantwell et al., MBRRACE-UK, 2018:56). For imprisoned women, the risk of self-harm and suicide may be exacerbated. This article draws on in-depth interviews with a sample of 28 imprisoned pregnant women/new mothers, 10 prison staff and observations to discuss the experience of separation from or anticipation of separation of w…
Institutional thoughtlessness and the incarcerated pregnancy
This article examines the unique experiences of pregnant women in prison, building on Sykes’ concept of the pains of imprisonment and Crawley’s notion of institutional thoughtlessness. Based on qualitative data from an ethnographic study of three English prisons, including interviews with 28 pregnant prisoners and 10 staff members and field observations, the study highlights the lack of basic provisions for pregnant women, such as adequate nutrit…
‘Like having your heart ripped out’: Metaphors of loss and survival in the narratives of incarcerated mothers separated from their babies
This article examines the experiences of women in prison separated from their babies. Based on qualitative data from the Lost Mothers Project, including 29 interviews with imprisoned women, this article adopts a secondary analysis drawing upon conceptual metaphor analysis as a methodological framework. The research revealed that enforced separation inflicts profound emotional and psychological pain, characterised by grief, guilt, shame, and endur…
Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis (3 works) · Criminology (3 works) · Homelessness and Social Issues (3 works) · Pregnancy (3 works) · Prison (3 works) · Psychology (3 works) · Childbirth (2 works) · Gender Studies (2 works) · Gender Studies (2 works) · Sociology (2 works)