Adverse Childhood Experiences and Mental Health Among Incarcerated Womxn

Abstract

This study uses the term “womxn” instead of “women.” This alternative spelling to women is inclusive of trans and non-binary womxn. Once womxn are incarcerated, they are often forgotten and do not receive adequate support to deal with any pre-existing trauma or mental health conditions. Mental health services in prisons can be inadequate or non-existent. There is a lack of research on incarcerated womxn. Research has failed to [adequately] study the mental health of those incarcerated, their pathways to prison, their Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and how those experiences affect their long-term mental health. Specifically, the author looks at ACES and mental health of the womxn and how that can vary by race (specifically
Black/African American and White womxn).