-
Pregnancy and Parenting Support for Incarcerated Women: Lessons Learned
- Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action
- Johns Hopkins University Press
- Volume 9, Issue 3, Fall 2015
- pp. 371-378
- 10.1353/cpr.2015.0061
- Article
- Additional Information
- Purchase/rental options available:
Background: There are more than 200,000 incarcerated women in U.S. prisons and jails, and it is estimated that 6% to 10% are pregnant. Pregnant incarcerated women experience complex risks that can compromise their health and the health of their offspring.
Objectives: Identify lessons learned from a community–university pilot study of a prison-based pregnancy and parenting support program.
Methods: A community–university–corrections partnership was formed to provide education and support to pregnant incarcerated women through a prison-based pilot program. Evaluation data assessed women’s physical and mental health concerns and satisfaction with the program. Between October 2011 and December 2012, 48 women participated.
Lessons Learned: We learned that providing services for pregnant incarcerated women requires an effective partnership with the Department of Corrections, adaptations to traditional community-based participatory research (CBPR) approaches, and resources that support both direct service and ongoing evaluation.
Conclusions: Effective services for pregnant incarcerated women can be provided through a successful community– university–corrections partnership.