March 30, 2012 |
2012-R-0157 | |
PRISON NURSERY PROGRAMS IN OTHER STATES | ||
| ||
By: Hendrik DeBoer, Research Fellow | ||
You asked for information on prison nursery programs in other states.
SUMMARY
We found eight states that have a women's prison that runs a nursery program for incarcerated mothers. These programs allow mothers to keep their infants with them inside a correctional facility. Most of these programs came into existence within the last 15 years. The programs usually operate for women who are pregnant at the time they are initially incarcerated and allow the mother to form a bond with the child during infancy. More often than not, the goal of the program is for the mother and child to leave the prison together at the end of the mother's sentence. Mothers participating in the program generally (1) must be evaluated as mentally and physically capable of caring for their child and (2) have no history of violence or child abuse. Staffing of nursery programs varies by state. Other inmates are often screened to participate in the nursery program as nannies or day care workers.
For a 2009 report on prison nursery programs, see the Institute of Women & Criminal Justice's Mothers, Infants and Imprisonment: A National Look at Prison Nurseries and Community-Based Alternatives.
PRISON NURSERY PROGRAMS IN OTHER STATES
Table 1 provides information on prison nursery programs in other states, including: (1) the name of the state and the facility in which the program is run, (2) the name of the program, (3) the year the program was initiated, (4) eligibility requirements for mothers to participate , (5) the maximum capacity of babies in the nursery, (6) information on how the nursery is staffed, and (7) the maximum length of stay for a mother and her baby in the nursery.
Table 1: Prison Nursery Programs in Other States
State (Facility) |
Name of Program |
Year Started |
Eligibility Requirement |
Maximum Capacity |
Staffed By |
Maximum Length of Stay |
Illinois (Decatur Correctional Facility) |
2007 |
Mother must have two years or less from time of birth until discharge and not have a history of violent crimes or child abuse; mother and child must be healthy |
10 babies |
Two dedicated state employees (infant development administrator and child development aid), correctional officer, and inmates are screened to be day care workers |
Two years | |
Indiana (Indiana Women's Prison) |
2008 |
Mother must be pregnant at the time of entering custody, never have been convicted of a violent crime, have 18 months or less from time of birth until discharge, read at an eighth grade level, and pass screenings based on medical and mental health |
10 babies |
Unknown |
18 months | |
Nebraska (Nebraska Correctional Center for Women) |
1994 |
Mother generally must have 18 months or less until discharge from time of birth until discharge and not have a violent history or convictions of serious child abuse |
7 babies |
Combination of two staff members and inmate assistants who are screened to participate |
Generally 18 months, but can be longer | |
New York (Bedford Hills Correctional Facility) |
Nursery Program |
Early 1900s |
Mother must be physically fit to care for the child and pass evaluation based on parenting abilities and criminal record (N.Y. Correct. Law § 611) |
27 babies |
Combination of agency personnel and workers from contracted Catholic charity, includes designated nursery advocate |
Usually 12 months, but up to 18 months if the mother will be discharged from custody |
Ohio (Ohio Reformatory for Women) |
2001 |
Mother must be pregnant at the time of entering custody, serving for nonviolent crimes, have 18 months or less from time of birth until discharge, and pass screenings based on medical and mental health and family history |
21 babies |
Unit staff and security guard, pediatrician on contract (grant funded), inmates are screened to serve as nannies |
18 months | |
South Dakota (South Dakota Women's Prison) |
Mother Infant Program |
Unknown |
Mothers must be pregnant at the time of entering custody |
Unknown |
Unknown |
30 days |
Washington (Washington Corrections Center for Women) |
1999 |
Mother must be pregnant at the time of entering custody; have 30 months or less from time of birth until discharge; and pass screenings based on type of offense, family history, and behavior |
20 babies |
Correctional officers and counselors |
30 months | |
West Virginia (Lakin Correctional Center) |
Keeping Infant Development Successful (KIDS) |
2009 |
Mother must be pregnant at the time of entering custody; have 18 months or less from time of birth until discharge; pass evaluation based on medical and mental health, and have no history of child abuse |
5 babies |
Full time staff case manager and counselor, security staff as needed |
18 months |
Sources: National Directory of Programs for Women with Criminal Justice Involvement, survey issued by Department of Correction, prison officials and websites
HD:km