Improving Pregnancy Outcome during Imprisonment: A Model Residential Care Program

TLDR

The female prison population has risen sharply, with many drug‑involved women pregnant or recently delivered, yet reproductive health services are scarce and perinatal mortality and morbidity rates are high. The study examines pregnancy issues among incarcerated women and introduces an innovative residential program for pregnant, drug‑dependent inmates. The program offers integrated drug treatment and prenatal care in a residential setting within the state corrections system.

Abstract

The female prison population has increased dramatically in recent years. Most women prisoners are involved with drugs, and as many as 25 percent are pregnant or have delivered within the past year. Reproductive health and drug treatment services for women in prison are inadequate, if they are available at all, and although illicit drugs are readily available in prison, drug-involved pregnant women often are incarcerated to protect fetal health. Studies of pregnancy outcome among women prisoners have demonstrated high rates of perinatal mortality and morbidity. This article examines issues related to pregnancy among women prisoners and describes an innovative residential program designed for pregnant, drug-dependent women in a state adult corrections system. Social workers can play an important role in promoting policy reform and improved services for this underserved population.