This i-learn module looks at the specific needs of women involved with the Criminal Justice System (CJS) and the impact that this involvement can have on them during the perinatal period.
Midwives and support workers will have contact with women who are affected by the CJS in many different ways and an understanding of the issues these women face can be invaluable when providing care. This module will explore the issues affecting these women and will consider how appropriate and sensitive care can be provided by midwives and support workers?
The content for this module has come from the work and experience of Birth Companions, a charity which supports women in the perinatal period, while in prison and after their release. The content is informed by the many women affected by the CJS who have shared their experiences with Birth Companions and talked about the challenges they faced, as well as the care and support that was valuable to them at this time.
After completing this module you will have:
- a fundamental working knowledge of the CJS as it relates to perinatal women
- an awareness of the complex social needs of women affected by the CJS
- an understanding of the different ways in which women may be involved in the CJS
- an understanding of how women’s CJS involvement can impact on their perinatal wellbeing and access to care
- an insight into the perinatal experiences of women in prison
- the awareness and knowledge to help women in custody to have equivalence of care
- the awareness and knowledge to provide sensitive, non-judgemental and appropriate care to women affected by the CJS
Study time: 60 minutes (includes a podcast of 22 minutes and an audio file of 9 minutes)
Original content: July 2019