Incarcerated mothers would have more contact with their children under new legislation (HB 1220) sponsored by Rep. Penny V. Hubbard, D-St. Louis. HB 1220 would allow the Missouri Department of Corrections to create a two-year pilot program to increase the access that children have to their mothers who are imprisoned.[adsenseyu1]

“As a mother, I know how vital it is to be an involved parent in the lives of your children,” said Hubbard. “These children are already facing overwhelming obstacles and stand a greater chance of ending up in the prison system themselves. Severing contact with the mother is only a punishment for the child.”

The bill would require Department of Corrections and the Department of Social Services to provide transportation for children and a caretaker to the facility to visit their incarcerated mothers. The Vandalia and Chillicothe prisons would be included in the program.

“Anything we can do to make the correction process more successful will only benefit our society more,” said Hubbard. “Ultimately, that is the end goal to produce functioning members of society.”

Send To A Friend

Share