Table 2.

Policy and research considerations from included publications

	Policy considerations	Future research
Systems and organisational	Specialised training for staff associated with the M&Cs29 35 39	Unit effectiveness27 28 33 37 50 52 53
	Training should include the correct application and removal of restraints as well as a basic education on the physiological process of birth39	Continued documentation and assessment of M&Cs 39 35
	Access to prerelease planning45	Unit components and comparison of effects35 37
Child	Child-sensitive or child-reflective prison policy32 38	Long-term anxieties or behavioural issues50 53
	Family support approach32 48	Physical and mental health52
	Parole supervision and postrelease placements need to accommodate coresidence (ie, drug and alcohol and mental health placements must accommodate coresiding children)42 51
Mother	Alternatives to incarceration35 36 42 54 55 59	Recidivism27 35 53
	Healthcare27 44 47 60	Mental health41 43 52
	Keeping mothers and children together35 36
Mother and child		Attachment and mother child bond27 33 37 41 43 52
		Follow-up evaluations of long-term effects on mother and child27 28 35 50 52 53
		Mother–child needs and unmet needs51 52
		Social support and stability28 33

M&Cs, mothers and children’s units.