Question

Write a discussion thread where you voice your opinions, values, support, or oppositions about controversial programs that allow mothers convicted in prison to keep their babies with them.

Answer 1

As the number of female prison inmates increases in the country, there is a need to contemplate and discuss the children born to mothers in jail, who are there only because of the mothers' crime. It can be considered as a violation of the children's rights and 14th Amendment of the constitution and is morally unjustifiable as well. The authority to decide about these children is vested in the states with no role for the federal government. Several discussions based on whether the child should be kept in the prison for the mother's crime or not have concluded that it is a violation of children's rights and a case of child abuse. Others are of the opinion that children will feel better in the presence and caring of the mother more than anybody else. It is also observed that the presence of these infants and these controversial nursery programs make the mothers better citizens and most of them want to live a normal life after the incarceration for the sake of their children. These programs strengthens the mother and child bond and the children were found to have good social skills and were more responsible than their peers who were broughtup in normal situations. These programs are capable of transforming these mothers to more socially responsible citizens. It also protects the child from the harsh realities of the outside world because of which the mother had to do the crime. It also teaches the mother all the basic dos and don't of motherhood. Though often considered as a violation of children's rights, the values that such a program could impart to the mother and child are many.