Raising a Baby Behind Bars

I am sure any mother, inmate or not, wants to raise their own child.  The heartbreak of having your baby taken away shortly after birth is not something that I would want to go through.

Most of the 2000 or so women that give birth in US prisons are not allowed to keep their babies, but there are some prisons that allow it.  One of those prisons is Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women.  Women who give birth here are allowed to keep their newborns with them and a few even up to 18 months.  This privilege is determined by the severity of the crimes committed my the mother.  Mothers convicted of violent crimes or any crimes in regard to harming children are not allowed this privilege.  One mother got in an argument with a guard and her baby was sent home.

The Facility has a play area for the kids and the walls are brightly decorated.  This is of course in a separate wing of the prison.   The children here and well taken care of by their own mothers and people helping at the prison.  A doctor checks to make sure they are growing as they should and there are people to help tend while the mothers are busy with their prison duties. There are also parenting classes to help the new mothers deal with the responsibilities that come with a child.

It is not all fun and games, however, the mothers are still in prison.  They still have a prison regime and not a lot of freedom.

Many mothers (about 33%) who have their child taken away at birth end up back in prison. Mothers who are allow to keep and raise their child fare much better with only about 10% ending back up in prison.

The babies don't know the difference.  They get the time to bond with their mothers and that is so important.

 It is by far better than ending up in foster care.
This Facility has made a smart move in allowing the mothers to keep their babies.  Not only for the babies, but for the mothers as well. There is so much more to live for, why throw it all away for whatever crime got them in prison in the first place.