When we talk about women’s incarceration, we often forget the most vulnerable casualties: the children left behind.

This haunting BBC documentary puts faces to the statistics that should shock us all. Behind every woman imprisoned are children whose lives are shattered in ways that can last forever: scattered across relatives, placed in care, or left to confront a world that suddenly makes no sense.

In under eight minutes, this film reveals the ripple effects that extend far beyond prison walls. You’ll hear directly from those who know this reality best: the children themselves, sharing experiences that will stay with you long after the video ends.

The statistics alone are staggering, but it’s the human stories that will change how you think about justice.

This isn’t just about individual families; it includes how our criminal justice systems create cycles of trauma that can span generations.

When we imprison mothers, we punish them and their entire families as well, who had no part in any crime.

Watch this documentary to understand why the conversation about women’s incarceration can never be separated from the children who pay the ultimate price.

Watch the full documentary here: What happens when your mum goes to prison?