Achieving Baby Care Success
Child development experts have determined that infants must bond with their mother in the first few months of life or their emotional and intellectual functioning is impaired.
In June 2001, ORW opened Ohio's only nursery program within an institution. The Achieving Baby Care Success (ABC'S) Program allows incarcerated pregnant inmates to maintain custody of their infants after they are born. Each participant has an individualized treatment plan so that the problems that resulted in her incarceration are thoroughly addressed.
Hands-on parenting instruction is available for every mother in the program. Eligible mothers for the program are screened and must be serving a short-term sentence for a non-violent crime. The criteria for the program ensures that the mothers and infants leave the institution together. There are currently 8 babies in the nursery