A program for mothers sentenced to prison in California allows non-violent offenders to have one or two kids -- under age six – to live with them in the facility.


Supporters say it's better than placing the children in foster care, but critics say that prison is no place for kids. Tracy Smith reports.


In a sunny suburb of Los Angeles, children know all about having fun on the playground. What they may not know is that their mothers can't leave. It's the new reality in the California correctional system: prison for women with children.


Inmate Gina West is serving time for drug and forgery convictions. She was pregnant when she was transferred from a regular women's prison. Her daughter Hailey has never known any other home

You can read the full story at this site: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/12/22/earlyshow/contributors/tracysmith/main589830.shtml

What are your thoughts on raising a child in prison?

The article states under age six. Because of the young age, I think it would be beneficial for the child to be with their mother. Also being such a young age, they won't really realize where they or why. It will be "normal" to them. They would think everyone is raised in an environment like that. Of course there would need to be structure for the children and the mothers. School and playtime activities. And the Mothers would need classes on parenting. However for older children who would know the difference and understand the implications, it would be detrimental.

My first question would also be what if they are there longer ? what if the child turns seven and the mother needs to remain? That doesn't seem like a very good idea then. Prison should serve as some kind of reform,hopefully, and not just being able to be with their children. I believe children should be with their parents, but where are the fathers? Would they be better off with them? I believe this age is very impressionable and social skills are important. I wonder what kind of supervision or maybe group therapy to improve themselves and parenting skills are incorporated into all this.

This is a really hard call.  It is absolutely true that mothers need to bond with children...and it does severe damage to a developing child to not be given the opportunity to do so.  However, having such an understimulating, underenriched environment like a prison that is not designed to accomodate developing children is also depriving.  I wish there were special facilities for this population of women.  It could be a very nurturing environement to have a community of children and inmates together.

These are non-violent criminals in cases where the parents would be there longer than 6 years,  a lawyer could make an argument to commute the sentence or arrange for the remaining time to be served under house arrest with arrangements made on a case by case basis.

transform1982 says ...

transform1982 says ...

These are non-violent criminals in cases where the parents would be there longer than 6 years,  a lawyer could make an argument to commute the sentence or arrange for the remaining time to be served under house arrest with arrangements made on a case by case basis.

 

I know for a fact that people get sentenced to 15 years for manslaughter and yet non-violent financial crimes can get more than that up to and including life in prison.  By handing out excessive sentences for non-violent financial crimes they are in effect putting a price on a life which is supposed to be considered priceless in this society.  Contract Killers aka Hit-men do the same thing by agreeing on a price for a life.  In cases of non-violent financial crimes the judge should instead be able to compel wage garnishments like the IRS does in order to prevent the innocent child(ren) from turning to a life of crime or unconstitutionally remaining in prison for 6 years or so with their mother.

I heard of a mother that was sentenced for 15 years for selling a handful of Percoset and she was pregnant at the time.  It seems like over criminalization since it is the same sentence it is for manslaughter.