Missouri now 10th state to offer prison nursery program
VANDALIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Missouri is now the 10th state to offer a prison nursery to incarcerated mothers.
The Women's Eastern Reception, Diagnostic, and Correctional Center in Vandalia has launched a new program and newly renovated wing that provides mothers with resources to bond with their newborns and prepare for life after incarceration.
"Life skills, trauma training, treatment if she needs treatment, parenting classes and having her having her needs met," said Kim Perkins, the nursery program manager.
The program was made possible after a bill passed in the Missouri Legislature in 2022 required funding from the Department of Corrections to establish the nursery by July 2025 and allow mothers to live in the nursery for up to 18 months.
The wing offers seven rooms for up to 14 babies and mothers, and provides diapers, an infant bathing room, kitchen spaces, cribs and more.
Former State Sen. Jeff Smith, of St. Louis, was one of three lawmakers to put the bill forward. He says the nursery is a win for everyone.
"(It's a) win for the moms, a win for the babies, a win for taxpayers because when recidivism goes down, then taxpayers don't have to pay for a revolving door of people coming back to prison." Smith said.
There are several qualifications to get into the program, including not having commit a violent crime, not committing crimes against children and not committing sex crimes, Smith said.
Right now, 19 incarcerated women are pregnant and Perkins said she anticipates nine being eligible for the program.
Those who do not qualify will give birth and 24 hours later, their newborn will either go to a family member or be taken into foster care.
In 2024, the DOC said it had 25 babies were born to incarcerated women. Inmates who are not pregnant are also allowed to take part in the program as a caregiver, under the same qualifications.
Brianna Johnson, an inmate at the correctional center, said she signed up for the program to do something positive with her time in prison.
"To inspire hope in mothers to be mothers, because I know what its like, I know how hard it is to be in the system, and not having the support I wish I could have had." Johnson said.
Perkins says the wing expects to welcome its first baby at the end of February.
The DOC accepts donations for things such as, diapers, bottles, clothing, lotion, baby shampoo and more.
