The Journey of One Pregnant Incarcerated Woman Through Systemic Bias

This case study examines the journey of a pregnant, incarcerated woman and the advocacy efforts of helping professionals from a perinatal home visiting agency. The agency worked with the mother to help her understand her baby’s development, both prenatally and postpartum, and addressed many other parenting concerns, including guardianship rights. The agency found that it is rare for pregnant inmates to maintain custody of their infants in jail postpartum, despite certain legal rights that are afforded them. The agency worked with the inmate and her family to advocate for her right to mother her child.