Babies Behind Bars
By speakeasy
@speakeasy (4215)
United States
July 6, 2007 12:13pm CST
When I read this story today, I was shocked.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/06/us/06women.html?th&emc=th
Not just by the conditions and lack of care for these children who are being kept in jail by their mothers; but, by the misguided authorities who feel it is better to keep children with a parent even if it is in a prison; than o place teh child with a relative or in foster care.
A prison is no place for a child to grow up. A parent in prison is not being "punished" if they can take their family with them while they serve time. These children have committed no "crime" other than being born to a "criminal".
What do you think about this?
3 responses
@coolseeds (3921)
• United States
6 Jul 07
This is a touchy subject.
If a pregnant women cared about the well being of her child she would not have committed the crime. Therefore she does not deserve the pleasure of having her child with her.
It creates more of a burden on the state as well. The child should be put up for adoption or relatives should take it.
It is almost like letting inmates bring their pets to jail with them. I am sure it will help make the time pass a little faster. But the child should not be incarcerated on the citizens tax dollar.
@speakeasy (4215)
• United States
6 Jul 07
Thank you.
I understand that pregnant women commit crimes just like anyone else. While they are pregnant, they should be given proper prenatal care to ensure a healthy delivery. But once they deliver, they should be made to decide whether to give up the child for adoption, turn the child over to relatives to raise, or have the child placed in foster care until they can be released.
But, I cannot believe that raising a child behind bars is good for the child.
@coolseeds (3921)
• United States
10 Jul 07
Ty for br. You are correct.
It can not be good for the child. They say the 1st 6 years are very important to a child's development. I am not sure how much sunshine or the activities the children get to experience but it can't be good for a child.
Better said. It IS NOT the best place for the child.
It could make the child feel more comfortable behind bars and make them turn into a criminal.
@whiteheather39 (24419)
• United States
6 Jul 07
I did not see any mention of Childrens Protective Services getting involved! How could that be allowed to happen. I also do not think prison is where children should be raised.
@speakeasy (4215)
• United States
7 Jul 07
I did not see anything about them being involved either. The article did say that only a very few states other than CA do this; but, I think they should all stop it.
A tiny infant might not know or be affected too much by this; but, one child in the article was 5 years old. This type of environment would surely have an affect on the child's development by then.
@xfahctor (14126)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
6 Jul 07
I am a huge believer there is no better rearer of a child but this goes too far. What happens when the child gets older? How long can they realisticly keep a child in there? A prison is absolutley No environment for a child, especialy an ainnocent one. the child should be placed with the other parent of perhaps a grandparent or aunt or uncle.
@speakeasy (4215)
• United States
7 Jul 07
One of the children in the article was 5 years old. They should be in either preschool or kindergarten. They should not be in a jail, even if it is just mothers and children.
The article really did not state waht ages were allowed to stay in jail; so I do not know if there are older ones or not.
