Bringing Up Baby in the Big House

I think you're exactly right Addictions Prof., I'm one of those kids where the cycle has been perpetuated. My parents weren't in prison, but my father has drug an alcohol addictions and mental health issues and he was not in my life much when I was young, and in my teens I also developed mental health issues, unknown to me, and then started self medicating and developed drug and alcohol addictions. If the children and parents don't realise the genetic as so much is lost when a strong bond and communication between parent and child is not developed, the cycle continues to the next generation. I wish I had been aware of these things, I would have sought medical help and not turn straight to self medication. Thank you for your post Addictions Prof., your insight is astounding.

As a professional addictions counselor, program consultant, and futurist of 25 years, I agree that the baby should be with the mother. There is another factor that is very often overlooked and that is the genetics that are involved. In most cases of chemical addiction, there is a set of genetic factors that have combined with environment and the individual goes undiagnosed right into self-medication for an emotional/mental condition that they knew nothing of. They usually wind up in jail and/or prison for the poor decision-making related to the mental condition in combination with the self medication. Their babies, then, must be considered to carry the same genetic factors that got Mom into trouble. Only a sound science and evidence based AOD mental health program for Mom to carry home to help prevent the perpetuation of the problems will help stop the cycle.

As a professional addictions counselor, program consultant, and futurist of 25 years, I agree that the baby should be with the mother. There is another factor that is very often overlooked and that is the genetics that are involved. In most cases of chemical addiction, there is a set of genetic factors that have combined with environment and the individual goes undiagnosed right into self-medication for an emotional/mental condition that they knew nothing of. They usually wind up in jail and/or prison for the poor decision-making related to the mental condition in combination with the self medication. Their babies, then, must be considered to carry the same genetic factors that got Mom into trouble. Only a sound science and evidence based AOD mental health program for Mom to carry home to help prevent the perpetuation of the problems will help stop the cycle.

Inmates, male or female, will sell you a bill of goods then turn around and steal it back from you. As someone who worked in the correctional system in California for 27 years, I can tell you that it all sounds good and these inmate/mothers will ride out of prison and over the rainbow. Not!!! The article states that the recidivism rate is 17%? it also states that the women must have no more than 18 months remaining on their sentences. It would be interesting to see how long corrections bases their recidivism rate on. These programs are sold to the public by the courts and liberal socialists, psychologists and others who work in the prison system. A whole new bureaucracy is born and the taxpayers take it in the shorts. I was involved in a liberal program where we took the most dangerous inmates in California prisons and had them live together in a "controlled environment" under the guise of a "mental health facility", staffed by a multitude of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurses, doctors and correctional officers. There was an average of 55 inmate/patient's at any given time and approximately 120 staff members. This program was mandated by the federal court system and after being in operation for one year, an inspection team made up of state and federal officials descended on our facility. The inmate/patient's themselves guided the "guests" and answered questions, after being coached by prison staff as to what to say, whether it be the truth or not. The program was sold to the officials and now unfortunately California correctional facilities are going to be required to have one of these facilities in each prison. The cost is enormous and the reality is that the program doesn't work. Inmates con their way through the program and the staff is only too happy to let them do it, as the program is their bread and butter. I liken that program to the one in the article. It will do nothing more than encourage these women to get pregnant during their conjugal visits, or by male correctional staff. These so-called "new-age programs" are going to ultimately bankrupt US states.

I'm goin got have to disagree with the comment "bookworm in Iowa" made about once they are covicted of a felony, they should lose all rights. I believe that to not only be a punishment for the mother, but to her baby/child as well. Even though she has done wrong, and been convicted, that does not mean she has no right to be a parent, or is a "lousy" parent. Taking away her parental rights is not relative to what she has done. And honestly if you are a parent of a child, you would agree that it is not right to take a baby away from it's mother.
Missing out on a child's life is irreversable. A child does not need a materialistic decent home. What they need is a abundance of love. What better way for these babies to recieve it due to the parents having nothing else to do with their time in.

Honestly though, just becasue a person is in prision doesn't make them a hardened criminal. There are lousy, abusive parents out there who aren't locked up. Now, that is something I would fear more of, than a person locked up for something completely different. Everyone is human, and we WILL(DO) make mistakes. Especially if young, and hanging around bad influences. However, that does not mean we cannot learn from our mistakes and change.

A baby that young doesn't know or have the ability to acknowlege wherethey are.At that age all they need is love, to be fedd and cared for. A baby can be happy wherever, as long as they are in their mothers arms.

Keeping a small child in prison so that the child is close to the mother is absolutely crazy. That would be like sending a child to Iraq or Afghanistan whenever a mother serving in the military deploys. Hey it's dangerous, and the child could get killed, but at least the mother will be close by. Besides, it's only for 12-18 months anyway.

Please forgive the above sarcastic comment, but I just cannot see how this serves the best interests of the child.

Im think that no metter happen MOTHERS will aways be at the frist place and the child dosent metter where you at they want to be with the mother Love is 4 every one NO MONEY CANT BUY LOVE FROM A REAL MOTHER ... i holp that the jurge open they heart and let the mother at the prison take care FOR FREE THEY NEW BORN INSIDE THE PRISON ... WE ARE A HUMAN BEEN

Mothers in prison have proven that they are unfit to raise the children. In their criminal activity they have shown their disregard for others and their children and a regard only for themselves. Many mothers in prison are there for drugs, theft or other reasons and need to get their lives in order before given an opportunity to receive their children back. Some mothers get pregnant after arrest in an attempt to manipulate the system. The biggest problem is that many of these people will return to a life of crime and will only teach the children that life style until they, themselves become criminals.

I can say from personal experience of being pregnant in prison that there is a much better chance of these infants being born healthy and having a healthy first few months of their lives. I was a drug addict and very young and irresponsible and I don't know how healthy my daughter would have been if I wasn't in that controlled environment. Women's prisons are a lot cleaner and more stable than men's prisons that are depicted on television, and these women are being given the opportunity to clear their minds and get into the right mindset to raise children. I commend this program.

Hopefully the mothers will take full advantage of giving their life a life that will be deserving to their child.

Yes I think its a great idea that they be able to have their babies in jail at least for that 72 hours so they can breast feed them they need their mothers milk its healthier the baby didn't do anything wrong so they should be able to get that milk to make them healthier and it gives the mother so respnsabililty and a bigger reason to get out and decide to stay out of trouble when they do get out.Thats just what i think.

Nooo, should not allow a child to be raised in the jail with there mothers. What type of idiot would have evn considered this idea.

at 1st i thought no, but then i said to myself YES, why because this is a good way to help them become responsible parents, in a very supportive atmosphere. They can change and I believe in all my heart that this is and will be a very positive experience for both the moms and their children. Its a wonderful idea and they should continue this program and expand it also.