The Women Who Don’t Get Counted

Photo by Hédi Benyounes on Unsplash
 ABSTRACT
 The current incarceration facilities for the growing number of women are depriving expecting mothers adequate care crucial child’s mental and physical development. Programs need to be established counteract this.
 INTRODUCTION
 Currently, Diana Sanchez was eight months pregnant when she arrested identity theft put in a prison cell Denver. At five a.m., two weeks after being incarcerated, announced deputy outside her that going into labor. Footage from camera shows pacing anxiously or writhing bed hours preceding arrival son. She banged door begged help. All received an absorbent pad. gave birth alone July 31, 2015, around 10:45 am. 11:00 am, nurse walked cut umbilical cord take Sanchez’s newborn baby without offering postnatal care. later sent hospital, separated until probation. In 2018, behalf three-year-old son, sued Denver Health Sheriff Department won $480,000 settlement.[1]
 Though many more men incarcerated than women, rate growth female has exceeded male decades. One study estimated 231,000 currently US,[2] 80 percent whom mothers, 150,000 pregnant.[3] Another recent 1,396 found 92 had live births, 6.5 stillbirths miscarriages, 4 terminated pregnancy. authors there is no system reporting pregnancy outcomes US prisons.
 There noteworthy ethical lapse mental, emotional, medical threatens well-being prison. According Carolyn Sufrin, “Pregnant people one most marginalized forgotten groups our country… who don't get counted count.” [4] Poor documentation, visibility, transparency contribute systemic abuse women. Studies document giving cells shackles solitary confinement. Their complaints regarding contractions, bleeding, other pains labor often ignored.[5]
 l. Prenatal Care American Prisons
 not offered any prenatal incarcerated. And neither nor son appropriate care.[6] medication opioid withdrawal while pregnant, which could have been detrimental baby’s health.[7] unacceptable absence pre- prisons. A lack regulation makes availability perinatal unpredictable unreliable.
 Several studies confirmed standard during [8] Knowledge require, addiction support, support maternal-infant bonding all exists ought used as benchmark. very least, birthing new should placed confinement shackled.[9] arena, individual healthcare cruel unusual.
 Only 18 funding prisons goes health prisoners. That roughly $5.7 thousand per prisoner, according NIH done 2015.[10] amount needs By healthcare, fetus care.
 ll. Respect Autonomy During Incarceration
 Women maintain autonomy even purpose sentence retribution crimes rehabilitation prevent reoffending.[11] separation mother causes significant developmental psychological harm child parent. Parent-child does serve authorized only due prisons’ limited space resources make it difficult accommodate children, well state interest children’s best interests custody rights When possible keep family together, every effort do so mother-child relationship.
 Incarcerated may become burden society neglect. For example, diabetes hypertension, can occur pregnancy, worsen treatment. inability access they would otherwise want endangers poses incarceration,
 Depersonalizing individuals convicted must context historical eugenics practices. State-sanctioned sterilization efforts reproducing were widespread early 20th century.[12] Cases coerced nonconsensual evidence history eugenics.[13]Abortions some women.[14] However, denied right see providers thoroughly discuss abortion options.[15] Although abortions consensual, quality consent questionable.
 lll. Prison Nursery Programs, “I something for…”
 Indiana Women’s (IWP), max security prison, program called Wee Ones enables nonviolent spend 30 with their child. It programs country allows last few children. voluntary offenders private room housing unit. offers parent education, accessible release, career education.
 application process rules adhere remain stringent. generally zero-tolerance policy. Even simply sleeping same arguing result termination program. Kara, woman drug possession, tended act out anger against peers learning how healthy reactions handling child, but temper ultimately led removal Her foster care, Kara returned regular cells. interview before transfer, told Charlie purpose. With tears eyes, said, “Charlie my way life here [...] I [,] screwed up.”[16]
 Pregnancy improve demonstrate nursery women.[17] secure attachment infant its primary caregiver promotes development bonded relationship mother.[18] close bond between shown decrease recidivism reduce system.[19] qualify these programs, them, babies disconnect lead rejecting once released.[20]
 like honor women’s interviews, expressed although raising environment difficult, better While rocking lap, inmate frustrations then paused express gratitude “After all, it’s ain’t supposed nice.”[21] issue reflects dilemma landscape.
 lV. Counter Arguments: Do Work Children Women
 Typically, newborns taken within three days relative Many never reunited babies. much debate over whether beneficial innocents, punished either mothers.
 Skeptics, James Dwyer, argued keeping innocent asserting little demonstrating rehabilitate women.[22] Dwyer commented “reckless” hopefulness provide:
 "It might, fact, distract them doing instead. […] They're focused childcare this euphoria — think they'll just fine they're not. We know."[23]
 showed 58 again 38 reconvicted, return years.[24] uses data argue worthwhile. special population experience. applies limiting applicability. More importantly, compelling programs.[25] recidivism[26] misconduct,[27] allow create stronger bonds children.[28]
 Bev Little argues allowing delays inevitable will cause trauma ill effects baby. [29] But others feel maternal-fetal both parties. bond, formed, long-lasting. Later life, less among children stayed rather mothers.[30]
 counterargument policies nurseries useful motherhood facility; thus, occurs because prepared upon release establish methods procedures successful unique operation correctional environments. Yet, fortunately, parenting classes jails emphasize sacrifice, self-restraint, dedicated attention These aptly apply prison.[31]
 experiencing addiction, Kima, described ambivalent toward “It’s about knowing me accountable I’m accountable,” Kima shared.[32] After acknowledged fear knew held occurrence ambivalence common.[33] prisoners Rhode Island 41 attitudes 70 San Francisco negative towards pregnancy.[34] reason differently reaping full benefits pregnancy.
 becoming comfort might seek if homeless insecure. Evelyn released jail using cocaine. 26 four-year-old aunt. Following drugs streets. felt hope safe go back jail. Like young age. grew accustomed dependent provided there. provide home nursery, making comfortable separating Instead, facts suggest we enough either.
 CONCLUSION
 experts stress dearth research information empirical show big problem is, providing benefits. Because largescale enough, ignored. give conditions, moment cut. incarcerates too movement expand help Strong educational aid lowering rates therapeutic mothers.[35]
 mass facilities. Most possession use illegal substances.[36] come disadvantaged backgrounds, poverty, experienced addiction. Depriving expectant irresponsible child.
 criminal justice harming mentally physically. Reform needed basic those need. IWP’s necessary physical, psychological, social place raise community incentivize facilitate parental habits. Further valuable returning encourage relationships baby.
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 [1] Li, D. K. Video allegedly alone, assistance. Denver: NBC News, 2019.
 [2] Kajstura, Aleks. “Women's Mass Incarceration: Whole Pie 2019.” Policy Initiative, 29 Oct. 2019, https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/pie2019women.html. (“Including prisons, jails, facilities.”)
 [3] Swavola, E, K Riley R Subramanian. "Overlooked: Jails Era Reform." Vera Institute Justice August 2016.
 C. Pregnant Behind Bars: What Don't Know About Incarceration Allison Chang. 21 March 2019. Transcript.
 [5] C., (Suffrin seen such practices firsthand working OB/GYN women.)
 [6] Padilla, M. “Woman Gave Birth Jail Cell Alone, Lawsuit Says,” New York Times, Sep. 1, [7] “Video assistance,” U.S. Apr. 29. Knittel, A. Sufrin. "Maternal Equity Who Experience Incarceration." JAMA Network Open 3.8 (2020). Ontario, Canada, coincided Australia.
 [9] et al. "Pregnancy Outcomes Prisons, 2016–2017." p. 803-804.
 [10] Sridhar, S., R. Cornish S. Fazel. "The Costs Healthcare Custody: Systematic Review Current Estimates Proposed Guidelines Future Reporting." Frontiers Psychiatry 9.716 (2018).
 [11] Kifer, M., Hemmens, Stohr, “The Goals Corrections: Perspectives Line” Criminal Review. 1 May 2003
 [12] Perry, "Our Long, Troubling History Sterilizing Incarcerated." Marshall Project: Sterilization 2017.
 [13] Rachel Roth & Sara L. Ainsworth, If They Hand You Paper, Sign It: Call End Prison, Hastings WOMEN's L.J. 7 (2015); See Skinner v. Oklahoma ex rel. Williamson, 316 535 (1942) (procreation considered fundamental right; fact pattern based type crime.)
 [14] Creinin, J. “Incarcerated Abortion Provision: Survey Correctional Providers.” Sexual Reproductive Health. 6-11. 23 2009.
 [15] Kasdan, “Abortion Access Women: Are Practices Conflict Constitutional Standards?” Guttmacher Institute. [16] Born Bars. Season Episode 5, “They Can Take Your Baby Away,” produced Luke Ellis, Francis Gasparini, Jen Wise, aired 15 Nov. 2017 A&E Networks
 [17] Bick, J., Dozier, (2008). Helping Foster Parents Change: Role Parental State Mind. H. Steele (Eds.), Clinical applications Adult Attachment Interview (pp. 452–470). York: Guilford Press.
 [18]Sroufe, A., B. Egeland, E. Carlson, W. Collins. (2005). Development Person: Minnesota Study Risk Adaptation Adulthood. [19] Goshin, Byrne, “Converging Streams Opportunity United States.” Journal Offender Rehabilitation. Apr [20] Babies Dirs. Serrill O'Brien. 2015. IWP Taylor. time show, twins. interviews throughout episode, pregnancies mood her. tried sign up previous long it. caregiver, Taylor probation, Taylor’s daughter didn’t distraught messed went back, time, reincarcerated, able accepted Ones. man gets out, someone for. Taylor, depend behind bars. relied boon them.
 [21] 2015.
 [22] Corley, "Programs Help Moms Bond Prison." Collaborative [23] [24] Owen, Crow, “Recidivism Female Prisoners: Secondary Analysis 1994 BJS Recidivism Data Set” Criminology California University (2006) 28
 [25] Programs: Literature Fact Sheet CT. Diamond Research Consulting, 2012, www.cga.ct.gov/2013/JUDdata/tmy/2013HB-06642-R000401-Sarah - Director, Consulting-TMY.PDF.
 [26] Correction Services (NYDOCS). (1993). Profile Participants: Bedford Taconic Program 1992. Albany, NY. Services.Rowland, Watts, (2007). Washington State’s generational impact crime. Corrections Today. Retrieved September 12, 2007, http://www. aca.org/publications/pdf/Rowland_Watts_Aug07.pdf.
 [27] (2001). 2000: five-year review at Nebraska Center Women. Rehabilitation, 33, 75–97.
 [28] J.R. 
 Little, "What Happens Woman Gives Bars?" A+E Networks, October <https://www.aetv.com/real-crime/what-happens-when-a-woman-gives-birth-in-jail-or-prison>.
 [30] Margolies, K., Kraft-Stolar, T. “Free” Means Losing Mother: Collision Child Welfare 9 (Correctional Association N.Y. Project 2006)
 [31] Jailcare: Finding Safety Net Berkeley: Press, [32] 155.
 [33] Peart, “Contraception available services States: systematic review.” Contraception Medicine. 17 2020
 [34] LaRochelle, F., Castro, Goldenson, P. Tulsky, D.L. Cohan, Blumenthal, “Contraceptive barriers newly women.” J Correct Care. (2012) 111–119.
 [35] L., (2009). streams opportunity 2009. p.271–295.
 [36] Elizabeth Kristine Riley, Ram Overlooked: Reform. Justice, 2016.