CIC examines issues related to parental incarceration, with a special focus on prison nurseries and alternatives to incarceration. We’ve also published special reports on pregnancy in prison and the pretrial period. This research educates the public and informs our advocacy for evidence-based policies, laws, and programs that protect the rights and promote the best interests of children with an incarcerated caregiver. CIC provides research opportunities to masters and law students to produce these reports.
Explore our reports, podcasts, articles, newsletters, and other publications below:
Sentencing
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United States Sentencing Guidelines Comment 2026
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Family Impact Statements 2024
When a parent is being sentenced, their role as a caregiver and the impact that incarceration may have on their children is rarely discussed. The use of Family Impact Statements could change that. This comprehensive report by CIC student researcher Bekah Muta examines the limits and possibilities of using Family Impact Statements during a parent’s pretrial or sentencing. -
Mass Parental Incarceration and Sentencing Reform in Minnesota 2019
Prison Nurseries
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France Prison Nursery Report 2026
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Germany Prison Nursery Report 2025
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Mexico Prison Nursery Country Report 2025 (SP)
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Mexico Prison Nursery Country Report 2025 (EN)
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United States Prison Nursery Report 2025
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United States Federal Prison Nursery Report 2025
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The Harms of Parental Incarceration 2022
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Kenya Prison Nursery Report 2023
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India Prison Nursery Report 2024
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England Prison Nursery Report 2025
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Canada Prison Nursery Report 2024
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Argentina Prison Nursery Report 2024 (SP)
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Argentina Prison Nursery Report 2024 (EN)
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Canada: A Critical Examination of the Institutional Mother-Child Program with Dr. Martha Paynter (Episode 7)
In this episode, Barbara Frey is joined by Doctor Martha Paynter, the Director of Nursing Research with the Contraceptive and Abortion Research Team at the University of British Columbia and Assistant Professor in Nursing at the University of New Brunswick. -
India: Making Child Protection Everyone’s Business with Dr. Smita Dharmamer of Aangan Trust and Mallika Setalvad (Episode 6)
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Kenya: Investing in the Reintegration of Women and Children with Terry Nyaoro of Clean Start Kenya (Episode 5)
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United States: Model Programming and Building Community at Bedford Hills Prison Nursery with Jane Silfen (Episode 4)
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New Zealand: Dr. Jacqui Johnson on the Spatial, Temporal, and Social Contradictions within Mothers with Babies Units (Episode 3)
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United States: Addressing the Core Needs of Both Child and Mother with Dr. Lorie Goshin (Episode 2)
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Mexico: Prison Conditions Call for State Accountability with Dr. Elena Azaola (Episode 1)
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Trailer: International Prison Nursery Podcast
Alternatives
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Nevada Family First Program 2025
Sunrise Health Clinics in Las Vegas, Nevada, received funding from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to support a family-based alternative sentencing program called Family First. This report by UCI fellow Henry Borkgren examines the Family First program and the services it offers to support families involved in the criminal legal system. -
Alabama Dallas County Family Preservation Program 2025
The Dallas County Family Preservation Program, launched in 2023 in Selma, Alabama, is a diversion program tailored specifically to parents that aims to provide a strategic, family-centered alternative to incarceration. This report by CIC student researcher Kinsey Button explores the program’s background and development, structure, and outcomes. -
Texas Baby and Mother Bonding Initiaitve 2025
Texas passed legislation in 2007 that authorized the creation of the Baby and Mother Bonding Initiative (BAMBI), a pioneer for out-of-prison nursery programs. This report by UCI fellow Gavin Repman explores the origins, development, and implementation of BAMBI, which aims to keep incarcerated mothers and their newborns together in a residential, community-based environment conducive to the healthy psychosocial development of mother and child. -
Washington Parenting Sentencing Alternative 2025
Washington’s Parenting Sentencing Alternative not only cuts down on costs of incarceration, but also reunifies children with their parents. This report by UCI fellows Henry Borkgren, Lindsey Busk, Nicolas Guo, and Logan Jurnak explores the development and implementation of the two programs under this alternative and examines their impact on addressing parental incarceration. -
Illinois Children’s Best Interest Act 2024
Since 2021, Illinois’s Children’s Best Interest Act has set forth additional mitigating factors for courts to consider when sentencing a parent or caregiver and has created the right to present a family impact statement at sentencing. This report by CIC students researchers Amanda Tyler and Bekah Muta explores the act’s implementation, obstacles, and future prospects. -
Oregon Family Sentencing Alternative Pilot Program 2023
In 2022, UCI fellow Meg Hinson wrote an initial report investigating Oregon’s Family Sentencing Alternative Pilot Program, and UCI fellow Nicolas Guo updated the report in 2023. -
Minnesota Healthy Start Act 2023
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Community-Based Solutions for Alternatives to Parental Incarceration in Oklahoma & Wisconsin 2023
In 2023, UCI fellow Sullyari Bautista wrote the above report investigating two programs: ReMerge in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and the ARC Maternal and Infant Program in Madison, Wisconsin. -
California Primary Caregiver Diversion 2023
UCI fellows Karsen Melgard and Zoe Vikstrom co-wrote the above report investigating California’s Primary Caregiver Diversion Law. -
Massachusetts Primary Caretakers Legislation 2024
Massachusetts allows primary caretakers of children to request a community sentence if they’re convicted of a crime. Now, advocates are hoping to create a path to pre-trial diversion for pregnant people and caregivers too. Learn more about the Primary Caretakers statute and new legislation in this report by UCI fellow Anthony Pimentel. -
Columbia Journal of Gender & Law Issue 46.1 2025
Perinatal & Postpartum
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The Perinatal Period in U.S. Jails and Prisons
International Law & Standards
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Summary of International Laws on Considering the Best Interests of a Child When a Parent Faces Incarceration 2022
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Essential Standards for Perinatal Care of Women and Children Living in Prison 2026
Pretrial
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Family Impact Statements 2024
When a parent is being sentenced, their role as a caregiver and the impact that incarceration may have on their children is rarely discussed. The use of Family Impact Statements could change that. This comprehensive report by CIC student researcher Bekah Muta examines the limits and possibilities of using Family Impact Statements during a parent’s pretrial or sentencing. -
Child-Focused Pretrial Practices 2025
Prison
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Columbia Journal of Gender & Law Issue 46.1 2025