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Missing Mama: The Toll of Maternal Incarceration

Missing Mama: The Toll of Maternal Incarceration

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 Welcome to Season Four of My Cotton Patch Moment. I’ve spent the summer reflecting deeply—on healing, justice, and the stories we rarely tell. Inspired by Nelson Mandela’s quote about knowing a nation through its prisons, I knew I had to begin this new season with the voices and stories that are too often ignored: the children of incarcerated mothers. This episode is one of the most personal and powerful I’ve ever shared. As I worked on my upcoming children’s book, The Hope Club, I kept thinking about the ripple effects of parental incarceration—especially when it’s Mama who is missing. What happens when the woman who sings lullabies and packs lunches is suddenly gone? The silence that follows isn’t just emotional—it’s structural, societal, and generational. In this episode, I introduce you to children like Adam and Ava—bright, imaginative three-year-old twins who had their world turned upside down when their mother was arrested for trying to steal diapers and formula. They didn’t understand sentencing; they only knew no one was there to kiss them goodnight. We’ll also look at the staggering truth: over 150,000 women are incarcerated in the United States, and nearly 80% of them are mothers—many of whom were the primary caregivers when they were arrested. Most are in prison for nonviolent offenses tied to poverty, addiction, trauma, or survival. This episode is my Cotton Patch moment. I don’t just want to inform—I want to invite you into reflection and action. I believe we must redefine justice—not simply as punishment, but as restoration. We must stop treating these women as disposable and start recognizing their need for healing, support, and dignity. And we must hold space for their children—because they deserve stability, connection, and love. This season, we’ll hear from counselors, nonprofit leaders, family court judges, and the people who have been behind the bars. We’ll explore trauma, resilience, and the sacred work of storytelling. Whether you’re walking this journey yourself or standing beside someone who is, this space is for you. Three key takeaways from this powerful beginning: 1. Justice Should Be Restorative, Not Just Punitive: Incarcerated mothers are often survivors themselves. They don’t need more punishment—they need paths to healing, rehabilitation, and reconnection. 2. Children Deserve More Than Silence: Kids don’t wait for justice—they wait for their mama. We must advocate for policies and practices that keep families connected and supported. 3. We All Have a Role in This Work: From making visits possible to supporting reentry programs, each of us can make a difference. Let’s stop letting children fall through the cracks and start building bridges of hope. If today’s episode touched your heart, I invite you to share it, rate it, and subscribe. And always remember: Just because you were born in the cotton patch doesn’t mean you have to stay there. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father’s farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years. You can find Mildred's memoir, "Daddy’s House: A Daughter’s Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots" here. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook X Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word. The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.
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