Friday was a busy day at the Missouri State Capitol as legislators wrapped up the final day of the 2022 session.
Some of the legislation discussed bringing nurseries to prisons.
Women who enter prison while pregnant in Missouri now could gain the ability to keep their baby with them for 18 months. Currently, women who give birth while imprisoned continue to serve their sentences after delivery, and their infants are sent to live with family or are put into foster care. On the final day of the session, the state legislature approved a Department of Corrections prison nursery program with bipartisan support, including Democratic Representative Tracy McCreery from Olivette.
Studies show that prison nursery programs in other states and positive health outcomes have dramatically reduced the likelihood that the incarcerated mother reoffends. The bill now awaits Governor Parson’s signature.