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Prison Babies
  • irishlassirishlass
    Posts: 6,786Member
    This is probably old news to you guys but I recently learned about indiana's women's prison, who have a programme called 'Wee Ones' that provides resources for pregnant inmates to keep their babies with them while they serve their sentance.
    I'm not sure how I feel about it. My immediate reaction was how fantastic this was. My studies of Bowlby's attachment theory tell me the most important thing is for the baby to bond with its primary carer. Then I saw a baby who was maybe 13 months old, with its mum in this tiny cell, reaching for one of the officers and the officer picked up the child and walked about the institution playing and the child seemed happy. From my study of health and social care and my general knowledge! I know that institutionalisation is very often has a negative impact. I wonder what is the impact on these children who only get to go outside into a barbed wire enclosed space. I wonder how these kids turn out.

    What do you think? Are the babies paying for the mothers' crime? Is it healthy? Is it the best thing for mum and baby? How does it
    "Be who you are and say what you feel. Because those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter." - Dr. Seuss
  • mommydeliriousmommydelirious
    Posts: 3,480Member
    I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand yes, the baby is paying for the mothers crime. On the other hand having that bond with her child might be one thing that would keep them out of trouble/off the streets/ off drugs once they get out.
    Photobucket
  • BellaBefanaBellaBefana
    Posts: 8,708Member
    A friend of mine makes quilts for them, but I don't know enough it to comment.  If it's a minimum security, I wouldn't have any problem at all for it. 
    Bite me, cupcake!
  • Katescrazymom
    Posts: 1,899Member
    I'm a lousy source, but the show I saw only let mother's with a short time left to serve keep their babies with them. As much as I agree that mother/baby bonding is usually best for baby and could be an inspiration for the mothers, I'm glad the babies aren't incarcerated for long!
  • irishlassirishlass
    Posts: 6,786Member
    @hmr from what I saw of the show, the nursery wing is away from all the other prisoners. There are some hard core people there. I would be surprised if it is minimum security. Anyone with a history of violence isn't allowed near the wing.
    "Be who you are and say what you feel. Because those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter." - Dr. Seuss
  • irishlassirishlass
    Posts: 6,786Member
    @katescrazymom yeah, I just wonder how long is a short time! The woman I saw last night had 17months left of her sentance.
    "Be who you are and say what you feel. Because those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter." - Dr. Seuss
  • chaosmomchaosmom
    Posts: 3,834Member
    Here is a link to Indiana's DOC website regarding the Wee Ones progrom. I can't copy & paste from my phone...

    http://www.in.gov/idoc/2857.htm

    I kinda like the idea. The program allows that bond between mother & child during that very critical time, in a safe environment. They provide parenting classes & such so that when these mothers get out, they already have the tools in place to be good mothers & be productive members of society. They can only do it if the mother has 18 months or less after projected due date.
  • Katescrazymom
    Posts: 1,899Member
    18 months seems like a long time. But they adjust fast if they're still with mom. And haven't learned too many words!
  • BellaBefanaBellaBefana
    Posts: 8,708Member

    My friend actually researched it quite a lot before sending them handmade quilts.  She was quite impressed with the program, and i trust her opinion...she's no pushover.  As long as they're kept away from violent offenders, etc., I have no problem with it.


    I'm sure they need other donations to should anyone be intersted.

    Bite me, cupcake!
  • AnonUser30
    Posts: 1,916Guest
    In India the babies stay until they are like 4 (due to the criminal justice system it's not unusual for them to wait that long to goto TRIAL). There's an episode of "taboo" on Netflix about these kinds of programs. VERY interesting.
  • MamaAce
    Posts: 404Member
    Mixed feelings here too. I think it would depend on what the mother did and if the child only stayed until a certain age, which it seems like they do. I think as long as the child is being kept away from the negative things of the prison it shouldn't be too bad. How many of us even have memories of that part of our life? I think my biggest worry would be once the mother got out. Would the child be cared for properly, etc. 
  • pdxmama
    Posts: 1,470Member
    Any of the (very few) prison nursery programs in the US have pretty strict rules about which inmates are allowed into the program. She can't be there for a violent offense, and can't be serving a long sentence. Usually they need to have something like <18 months remaining when the baby is born. The idea being if mom still has 10 years to serve then it could (and likely would) be even harder on the child to spend 12-18 months with her then be removed. In those cases, better that the infant bond with whoever will be their primary caregivers. For the women who qualify and are lucky enough to be incarcerated somewhere that has this option I think it's a great idea. Otherwise, incarcerated moms give birth, and the next day have to hand the baby over. If they're lucky they have family who can take the baby, if not they go straight into foster care.
  • AnonUser23
    Posts: 2,278Guest

    Ughhh just trying to put this is hard...my nephew (my brothers little boy) is 2. His (my nephews) mother is a recovering junkie. She has never been to jail but has been in trouble all of her life. I know she would be a  good person if it wasn't for drugs and alcohol. She's done some really awful things but so far my nephew has been thriving in her care.  She's been waiting for low-imcome housing for quite some time but in MA if they can't find you a place they put you up in a hotel room (where she has been living in one room since my nephew was born). Now I know it's not a jail cell but they are isolated all  the same. Even that is a bad situation....I'm so torn on this subject. I know in my heart of hearts it's best to keep a child with their Mom but when do you say they need more than that???    Because they do! Kids need to be around all sorts of people to grow.

     

  • Koala82Koala82
    Posts: 392Member
    I have a SIL that had a child in jail. At least being in jail kept her clean, which she wasn't always during her many pregnancies, the child my nephew ended up going to my MIL. She has cared for him and another of her son's as well. Not sure if the program was available where she was at but I'll ask next time I talk with her. Luckily she is doing much better nowadays. She's been living a good and clean life for almost 2 years now.
  • scholarmom4
    Posts: 568Member
    I like that they get a chance to bond. I can't imagine how awful it is to give birth in shackles and then have the staff take your baby away from you immediately! It is nice that they can spend time together.
  • shadylaneshadylane
    Posts: 3,037Member
    there are many womens' prisons around the world that have these programs, its been proven beneficial to both the mothers and babies. the babies live just like they would at home, they aren't deprived of anything except maybe other family members. the requirements are very strict, it has to be a nonviolent crime and she can't have had any cps investigations. the babies aren't around other inmates at all. i was watching something about one in israel and the prison was so nice lol it looked like a college campus. they even had a petting zoo and a relaxation room with big aquariums and they could have aquariums in their cells b/c they are therapeutic. in israel they are focused on rehabilitation unlike the us.  they can get furloughs and conjugal vists. that prison is probably nicer than where i'm staying now lol
    ~slim shady~
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