The number of incarcerated women in America has dramatically increased in the last few decades. A number of these women enter prison pregnant, and they deserve their right to motherhood. Through the prison nursery program, low-risk incarcerated mothers are able to bond with their child for the first year or so of their infancy (time span depends on the state). These mothers attend parenting classes as well as support groups in order to learn how to become a better mother. Researchers from Columbia have done studies on these children, and they develop the same way as any other child would. In fact, it's the children who are separated form their mothers and put through the foster care system that turn out to have more psychological issues in their lives. Also, this program has shown to dramatically decrease the rate at which mother return to prison, which makes them safe citizens in society and reliable parents. By signing this petition, you will be supporting the instinctual bond that is critical for mother and child and therefore show that you value the family unit as well as these children born behind bars.
