ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of the book. The book examines in detail the legal framework provided by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which is the main international treaty ratified by all member states to the United Nations, except the USA. It explores the literature on mothers and babies in prison, which is mostly drawn from developed countries. The book comprises a review of academic literature that addresses the practice of incarcerating mothers with young children, as well as the effect of a mother’s incarceration on children who are left outside the prison as she serves her sentence. It explores the evolution of women’s imprisonment in Kenya. The book provides an overview of the sentencing framework in Kenya, the guidance and regulations of the decision-making process, and the sanctions that are available to the court.
