Caregivers Under Trial: A Global Forum on Mothers Facing Detention and Their Children, a two-day hybrid conference, will center the often-overlooked plight of children of undertrial (or pretrial) mothers, from the moment of their mothers’ arrest through incarceration. Despite being legally presumed innocent, undertrial prisoners and their children endure the punitive realities of carceral systems—often before a trial has even commenced.
This conference will explore the various settings in which children of undertrial mothers are placed, including prisons, prison nurseries, foster care, and child-care institutions. Bringing together scholars, advocates, practitioners, policymakers, and community organizations, from across the globe, the conference will showcase research, advocacy, and innovative approaches supporting incarcerated mothers and their children. Through interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration, panelists and participants will explore meaningful alternatives and systemic reforms that put children’s rights, dignity, care, and well-being at the center.
The conference is hosted by Prayas-TISS, Centre for Criminology and Justice, School of Social Work, TISS in collaboration with Children of Incarcerated Caregivers (CIC), the convenor of the Global Prison Nursery Network (GPNN).
Registrants may attend in person in Mumbai or on Zoom
November 1, 2026 10:20 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. IST
Registration for in-person participants begins at 9:30 a.m.
November 2, 2026 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. IST
