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Babies Born Behind Bars: Missouri Prison Nursery Program Grows
10 Jan
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.
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.
While praised for its supportive structure, prison nursery programs face scrutiny regarding their suitability for child development and resource allocation. Despite these debates, the number of incarcerated women, many for nonviolent offenses, continues to rise, prompting states to re-evaluate correctional facility designs and policies. Research on long-term outcomes is still developing, yet some studies suggest positive impacts on recidivism.
