"Here They Look at Us as People”

Approximately 60% of all incarcerated women in the United States are mothers with minor children and most them single mothers. When incarcerated, disconnection loss tangible support can have a traumatic impact on families. Alternatives to incarceration (ATI) be viable option maintain their significant relationships while holding accountable for crimes providing necessary rehabilitation. The purpose this study was examine how participating an ATI program compared experience conventional incarceration. Data were collected from eight focus groups involving 34 who current participants or graduates program. analyzed using exploratory thematic analysis. Analysis revealed four salient themes characterized by these vivo themes: is not rehabilitation; easy, hard; I’m same person; connection children. Findings suggest that find more rehabilitative relational than Future research should explore outcomes specific rehabilitation connections A mother’s readiness change when intervention evaluated relation outcomes. social work profession increase research, policy, direct service efforts criminal legal reform advocating appropriate alternatives