Global Prison Nursery Network
The Global Prison Nursery Network (GPNN) is a global, multi-stakeholder community dedicated to advocacy for the best interests of children who reside in prison with their caregivers. These children—residing in various settings such as prison nurseries, mother-baby units, or with the general prison population—remain largely invisible in research, law, and policy.
Since its founding at the inaugural Global Prison Nursery Network Symposium in 2023, the GPNN has grown into a sustained and expanding network. Today, our members span regions across the globe, with new partners joining every year.
Mission
At the heart of the GPNN’s mission is a commitment to the well-being and rights of children who face living in prison with a parent. Through this network, we aim to gather evidence-based research, share best practices, and elevate the visibility and voices of impacted children and caregivers. We advocate for improved processes, laws, policies, practices, conditions, and resources to serve the best interests of these children, including the promotion of community-based alternatives to incarceration.
Highlighting the importance of a global perspective, we celebrate the cultural and geographic diversity of our partners. Our work is grounded in the ancient Sanskrit proverb “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (“The world is one family”), shared with us by our network partner, Dr. Smita Dharmamer of Aangan Trust India. We recognize our collective responsibility towards incarcerated children and their caregivers, who often remain invisible to the broader world.
Symposia
Our annual symposia bring together academics, NGO workers, policymakers, and impacted people from around the world to examine and explore issues related to pregnancy in prison, parental incarceration, and prison nurseries. Check back for more information about the 2026 conference in Mumbai, India.
Join Us
The GPNN invites researchers, academics, impacted people, and NGOs from around the world to join us in our shared mission to advocate for the rights and well-being of children who live in prison with a parent. We hold quarterly meetings and facilitate subcommittees so partners from across the globe can regularly learn from one another and share insights. GPNN members also frequently collaborate with each other or assist in some of CIC’s initiatives, including submissions to United Nations bodies, or co-authoring academic articles together.
