The first thing that should be done with a pregnant female inmate is for that prisoner to be moved to a more security environment to prevent lost of her child. The reason for this is because “pregnant inmates need special diets, lighter work assignments, supportive programs, and a less stressful environment.” This will help prevent miscarriages and possible make the inmate more successful with rehabilitation. My first thought was after the child is born the child should be immediately removed from the mothers care. Now after reading the text I understand that some prisons has family services that not only teach women how to be better mothers but also in some cases allow mothers to keep the baby in prison. For example Washington State has a nursery program. In Gig Harbor that includes an early head start program. Before most prisons only had the options of abortion, placing the child with relatives or putting the child up for adoption or foster care. I feel that this is a poor option because this causes stress to the mother as well to the family if they are incapable of taking care of the child. Or text give us statics on pregnant women in prison “It is estimated that 1 in 25 women in state prison are pregnant when admitted and more than 1,400 babies are born in prison each year.” This is astounding numbers making the issue of pregnant women a major issue that prison face every day. With a baby being born or having the mother go to prison soon after the child is born could have long term affect such as emotional anguish and developmental problems. In the end what should be done for a pregnant female it what is best for the inmate and what she choose to do if it be abortion or if it be having the baby and putting it up for adoption the pregnant female should be able to decide what is best for her and the child. Now prison having several option unlike before give the inmate the chance to do what paramount for her needs.
