Raising Babies in a WA Prison

Reporters Amanda Snyder and Joseph O'Sullivan share the stories of three moms who live with their babies through the state's prison parenting program.

The United States has seen a substantial increase in the incarceration rates of women over the past few decades. Some of them are entering the prison system pregnant. 

Many of these women are forced to serve their sentences away from their children, but some states, including Washington, have tried to change that. 

The Washington Corrections Center for Women has run the Residential Parenting Program for more than two decades, allowing women to raise their babies for up to 30 months while incarcerated. The program offers child care, parenting classes, educational opportunities and other support.  

Host Sara Bernard spoke with journalists Amanda Snyder and Joseph O’Sullivan about their reporting on three mothers in the program who shared what it’s like going to prison while pregnant, raising their babies in incarceration and preparing for life once they’re released. 

Read more about these mothers' experiences here. 

---

Credits

Host/Producer: Sara Bernard

Reporter: Amanda Snyder and Joseph O'Sullivan

Story editor: Ryan Famuliner

Executive producer: Sarah Menzies

---

If you would like to support Crosscut, go to crosscut.com/membership. In addition to supporting our events and our daily journalism, members receive complete access to the on-demand programming of Seattle’s PBS station, KCTS 9.