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 2
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United States Sentencing Guidelines Comment 2026
CIC's submission to the U.S. Sentencing Commission, supporting consideration of family responsibility in sentencing decisions. The comment also advocated for broader recognition of caregivers’ roles and the impacts of parental incarceration. -
Mass Parental Incarceration and Sentencing Reform in Minnesota 2019
A law review article examining the impact of parental incarceration on children and communities, including a review of international, federal, and state laws and recommendations on sentencing caregivers.
Prison Nurseries 21
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France Prison Nursery Report 2026
In France, mothers may keep young children with them during incarceration or pretrial detention if approved. Specialized facilities support these mother-child arrangements. -
Germany Prison Nursery Report 2025
In over half of Germany's states, young children may live with incarcerated mothers in specialized units, though access is limited and policies, capacity, and resources vary by facility. -
Mexico Prison Nursery Country Report 2025 (SP)
En México, las madres tienen derecho a que sus hijos nacidos durante su privación de libertad permanezcan con ellas en prisión. Sin embargo, la mayoría de los centros penitenciarios carecen de la infraestructura necesaria, como bebetecas o unidades maternas, para apoyar esta convivencia. -
Mexico Prison Nursery Country Report 2025 (EN)
In Mexico, mothers have an automatic right to have a child born during their incarceration reside in prison with them. Most prisons lack necessary infrastructure such as bebetecas or mothers’ units to support cohabitation. -
United States Prison Nursery Report 2025
Eight states operate prison nursery programs that allow some newborns to stay with their incarcerated mothers for a limited period, contingent upon meeting eligibility criteria. These programs are determined individually by state departments of corrections. -
United States Federal Prison Nursery Report 2025
In the United States (U.S.), pregnant women in federal custody have access to two prison nursery programs: Mothers and Infants Nurturing Together (MINT) and the Residential Parenting Program (RPP). -
The Harms of Parental Incarceration 2022
A summary of the varying harms of parental incarceration on children, from health to educational consequences. -
Kenya Prison Nursery Report 2023
In Kenya, children may live with incarcerated mothers until age four, but few prisons have dedicated daycare facilities, and most children spend part of the day with the general prison population. -
India Prison Nursery Report 2024
In India, children may live with incarcerated mothers until age six, though most women's prisons are not equipped to meet the needs of mothers and their children. -
England Prison Nursery Report 2025
A small number of prisons in England allow mothers to live with their young children in mother-baby units, where children may stay until about 18 months of age under comprehensive national policies. -
Canada Prison Nursery Report 2024
Canada's Mother-Child Program allows young children to live with incarcerated mothers, but little data exists on its outcomes and participation has remained low, especially among Indigenous women. -
Argentina Prison Nursery Report 2024 (SP)
En Argentina, las madres pueden permanecer con sus hijos en prisión hasta los cuatro años de edad. Por lo general, conviven en unidades maternas o guarderías penitenciarias, aunque las condiciones varían entre los establecimientos. El arresto domiciliario también se utiliza cada vez con mayor frecuencia como una medida alternativa para las mujeres embarazadas y las madres. -
Argentina Prison Nursery Report 2024 (EN)
In Argentina, mothers may keep children up to age four with them in prison, typically in dedicated mothers' units or nurseries, though conditions vary. Home arrest is also an increasingly common alternative for pregnant women and mothers. -
Canada: A Critical Examination of the Institutional Mother-Child Program with Dr. Martha Paynter (Episode 7)
In this episode, Barbara Frey speaks with Dr. Martha Paynter about reproductive health, incarceration in Canada, and the Mother-Child Program’s impact on incarcerated mothers and children. Dr. Paynter critiques the program’s limitations and advocates for community-based alternatives to incarceration. -
India: Making Child Protection Everyone’s Business with Dr. Smita Dharmamer of Aangan Trust and Mallika Setalvad (Episode 6)
In this episode, Barbara Frey speaks with Dr. Smita Dharmamer of Aangan Trust and volunteer Mallika Setalvad about prison creches and nurseries in India. They discuss efforts to support children living with incarcerated caregivers and highlight practices for improving these programs. -
Kenya: Investing in the Reintegration of Women and Children with Terry Nyaoro of Clean Start Kenya (Episode 5)
In this episode, Paul Dosh speaks with Terry Nyaoro of Clean Start Kenya about the organization’s support for justice-impacted women and children. Nyaoro discusses Clean Start’s reintegration programs, prison childcare efforts, and advocacy to address the impacts of incarceration. -
United States: Model Programming and Building Community at Bedford Hills Prison Nursery with Jane Silfen (Episode 4)
In this episode, Paul Dosh speaks with Jane Silfen of Hour Children about the organization’s support for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women and their families. Silfen discusses the history and services of the Bedford Hills prison nursery program, including efforts to strengthen mother-child bonds. -
New Zealand: Dr. Jacqui Johnson on the Spatial, Temporal, and Social Contradictions within Mothers with Babies Units (Episode 3)
In this episode, Barbara Frey speaks with Dr. Jacqui Johnson about her research on mothers and children in New Zealand’s Mothers with Babies Units. Dr. Johnson examines the complexities of prison nursery programs and their impact on mother-child relationships. -
United States: Addressing the Core Needs of Both Child and Mother with Dr. Lorie Goshin (Episode 2)
In this episode, Paul Dosh speaks with Dr. Lorie Goshin about prison nurseries in the United States, including the Bedford Hills program in New York. Dr. Goshin discusses their structure, developmental impacts, and opportunities for reform to better support mothers and children. -
Mexico: Prison Conditions Call for State Accountability with Dr. Elena Azaola (Episode 1)
In this episode, Barbara Frey speaks with Dr. Elena Azaola about parental incarceration and children in Mexico’s criminal legal system. Dr. Azaola examines prison conditions, family bonds, and the challenges of protecting children’s best interests. -
Trailer: International Prison Nursery Podcast
Children of Incarcerated Caregivers (CIC) presents the International Prison Nursery Podcast, where Barbara Frey and Paul Dosh explore global perspectives on prison nurseries and alternatives to caregiver-child separation. The podcast examines the risks, benefits, and alternatives to these programs while advocating for the best interests of children impacted by incarceration.
Alternatives 10
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Nevada Family First Program 2025
Sunrise Health Clinics in Las Vegas received DOJ funding to support Family First, a family-based alternative sentencing program. This report examines the program and its services for families involved in the criminal legal system. -
Alabama Dallas County Family Preservation Program 2025
In Selma, Alabama, the Dallas County Family Preservation Program provides a family-centered diversion alternative to incarceration for parents. This report examines the program’s development, structure, and outcomes. -
Texas Baby and Mother Bonding Initiaitve 2025
Texas created BAMBI in 2007 as a pioneering out-of-prison nursery program. This report examines its development and implementation to support incarcerated mothers and newborns. -
Washington Parenting Sentencing Alternative 2025
Washington’s Parenting Sentencing Alternative reduces incarceration costs and reunifies children with parents. This report examines the development, implementation, and impact of its two programs. -
Illinois Children’s Best Interest Act 2024
Illinois’s Children’s Best Interest Act requires courts to consider family impacts at sentencing and allows family impact statements. This report examines its implementation and challenges. -
Oregon Family Sentencing Alternative Pilot Program 2023
Oregon’s Family Sentencing Alternative Pilot Program offers a family-centered alternative to incarceration for eligible caregivers. This report explores the program’s outcomes and impact on families. -
Minnesota Healthy Start Act 2023
The Healthy Start Act allows pregnant women and new mothers serving short state prison sentences to be conditionally released through pregnancy and their child's first year, offering a first-of-its-kind alternative to parental incarceration. -
Community-Based Solutions for Alternatives to Parental Incarceration in Oklahoma & Wisconsin 2023
The report examines community-based alternatives to maternal incarceration, focusing on ReMerge in Oklahoma City and the ARC Maternal and Infant Program in Madison. Both programs support mothers facing nonviolent charges through counseling, treatment, and family-centered services. -
California Primary Caregiver Diversion 2023
San Francisco’s Primary Caregiver Diversion Program provides an alternative to incarceration for eligible parents. This report explores the program’s development and implementation. -
Massachusetts Primary Caretakers Legislation 2024
Massachusetts’s Primary Caretakers Statute allows eligible caregivers to seek community-based sentences instead of incarceration. This report explores the law’s implementation and impact on reducing family separation.
Perinatal & Postpartum 1
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The Perinatal Period in U.S. Jails and Prisons
Pregnancy in custody is an overlooked public health and human rights issue in the United States. Access to perinatal care in jails and prisons appears to be inconsistent, often inadequate, and, at times, seriously harmful.
International Law & Standards 2
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Summary of International Laws on Considering the Best Interests of a Child When a Parent Faces Incarceration 2022
A brief on international law regarding the sentencing of parents and caregivers. -
Essential Standards for Perinatal Care of Women and Children Living in Prison 2026
A recommended list of essential standards for perinatal care and the management of pregnant and/or breastfeeding women and their infants who are in detention.
Pretrial|Sentencing 1
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Family Impact Statements 2024
A parent's caregiving role and the impact of incarceration on their children are rarely considered at sentencing. This report examines how Family Impact Statements could address that gap during pretrial and sentencing proceedings.
Pretrial 1
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Child-Focused Pretrial Practices 2025
Less attention has been paid to the pretrial detention of parents and caregivers. This report identifies a handful of global programs and policies that seek to reduce parent-child separation during the pretrial stage.
Alternatives|Prison 1
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Columbia Journal of Gender & Law Issue 46.1 2025
A series of articles highlighting various issues related to parental incarceration, from scholars and CIC partners around the globe.