In a move that advocates say could fundamentally alter the trajectory of incarcerated women and their children, Missouri's Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center (WERDCC) in Vandalia has announced the opening of a special nursery wing for mothers and their babies. After a period of detailed planning followed by extensive renovations, the prison is ready to roll out the program come February, allowing up to 14 mothers to maintain full-time care of their infants for up to 18 months.
Representatives from the facility highlight the promise the program holds for reducing recidivism and altering lives. "This is going to be transformative for the women who come through this program," Kim Perkins, WERDCC nursery program manager, told St. Louis Post-Dispatch. With the provision of a nurturing environment, the initiative seeks to strengthen the maternal bond which, in turn, is expected to "see huge changes in the lives of the women — and reduced recidivism rates," as they reconnect to society bearing stronger bonds with their children.
The establishment of this nursery, equipped with necessities such as cribs, bathing rooms, and educational spaces, is the fruit of bipartisan efforts which actualized with the passing of legislation in 2022. Per a report by FOX2now.com, the Missouri General Assembly and former Governor Mike Parson drove this initiative into reality, setting the stage for affected women and children to experience potentially life-changing impacts.
The program is not just about maintaining proximity between mother and child. It also encompasses educational and therapeutic programs, aiming to equip the women with crucial parenting skills and other learning opportunities. According to a statement obtained by Newstalk KZRG, it includes a component where other inmates are trained to assist in providing care, thus fostering a community of support and learning. The program's multi-faceted approach extends to include regular visits by pediatricians and integration with federal programs like Head Start and Parents as Teachers.
Standing as one of the 10 states to implement such a project, Missouri aims to closely follow in the footsteps of states like Nebraska, where significant benefits from similar programs, including a 28% reduction in recidivism rates, have been documented.
