LEARN ABOUT THE
RESIDENTIAL PARENTING PROGRAM
Our culture tends to romanticize motherhood, emphasizing
the round softness of the pregnant belly, the sweetness of the sleeping newborn,
and a baby’s first smile, first steps, first words. Of course, reality
for many women is less lovely. For example, few in our society are aware of
the growing number of incarcerated pregnant women. What do we do with these
mothers? These babies?
Prison programs keeping babies together with their inmate mothers (“residential
parenting programs”) are the exception rather than the norm. One source
claims that of 40 states responding to a survey on residential parenting programs,
only 14 states reported that they had community facilites for mothers and
children.
(1) I was unable to find recent
statistics on numbers of residential parenting programs similar to the one
at WCCW. In most corrections systems, babies are separated from their mothers
and placed with relatives or non-related foster families.
Pregnant women are frequently interested in promoting the health of their
developing babies, thus pregnancy and postpartum provides an optimal time
for health-related interventions. Separation of mothers and infants prevents
critical mother-infant bonding which should occur to optimize neurobiological
well-being. Research has shown that this bonding is crucial for developing
a sense of security and trust in children. Maintaining closeness between mothers
and infants provides a positive incentive for inmates to participate in and
benefit from rehabilitation programs offered in prison settings. Strengthening
family ties during imprisonment decreases recidivism.
(2)
The American Medical Association features a report on Bonding Programs for
Women Prisoners and Their Newborn Children.
(3)
The report cites several studies touting the positive effects of maternal-infant
bonding and healthy attachment behavior on long-term behavior of both mother
and child. However, the AMA remains unconvinced that residential treatment
programs are an effective solution to selected pregnant inmates’ needs.
Criticism largely stems from prison facilities’ restricted environments
for infant locomotor and cognitive development along with some safety considerations.
They also criticise the paucity of research on the long-term effects of prison
nurseries on mothers and children once released. However, in conclusion, they
do recommend continued support of research on the impact of mother-infant
bonding programs of incarcerated women and their children.
I believe that the model adopted by the WCCW addresses the concerns articulated
by the American Medical Association and can serve as a model for other correctional
facilities throughout our nation. It is my hope that this photographic journey
through the Residential Parenting Program at the WCCW will increase public
awareness on the value of educating marginalized and vulnerable mothers and
their children. It is also my hope that the babies rocked by their inmate
mothers in this prison’s cradles will reap the long-term benefits of
healthy, secure maternal-infant attachment, an essential element of child
abuse prevention and productive life.
(1) J. Pollock, “Parenting Programs
in Women’s Prisons,” unpublished study for Open Society Institute,
Center on Crime, Communities and Culture, 1999. Pollock surveyed all states
in 1998. Of the 40 that responded, 14 reported that they had community facitlies
for mothers and children.Click to return.
(2) http://www.amnestyusa.org/rightsforall/women/report/women-101.html.
Click to return.
(3) http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/article/2036-2529.html.
click to return.
Thank You for your interest and support,
Cheryl Hanna-Truscott
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