What is the Missouri prison nursery program?

It's a program allowing eligible incarcerated mothers to live with their infants for up to 18 months inside the Women's Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center.

How many prison nursery programs exist in the US?

As of early 2023, nine prison nursery programs were operating nationwide, with more states considering similar initiatives.

What are the benefits of prison nursery programs like Missouri's?

Benefits include strengthening early bonding, improving maternal mental health, and potentially reducing recidivism rates for participating mothers.

Home / Crime and Justice / Babies Born Behind Bars: Missouri Prison Nursery Program Grows

Babies Born Behind Bars: Missouri Prison Nursery Program Grows

10 Jan

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Summary

Missouri's program allows infants to live with incarcerated mothers for up to 18 months.
The program aims to reduce trauma and recidivism for mothers and their children.
Nine such nursery programs operate nationwide, with more states considering them.

Babies Born Behind Bars: Missouri Prison Nursery Program Grows

Missouri's program at the Women's Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center, initiated in February 2023, allows eligible incarcerated mothers to reside with their infants for up to 18 months. This initiative is among nine such programs operating across the United States, reflecting a growing trend to address the needs of pregnant incarcerated individuals.

The program's goal is to foster early bonding, improve maternal mental health, and potentially lower recidivism rates by providing a supportive environment. Participants must have no more than 18 months remaining on their sentence and exclude those with violent sexual offenses or crimes against children. Strict eligibility reviews consider disciplinary history, health, and engagement in programming.