324 12 Corrections and Prison Practices—Family Forenstcsincarceration, then they are placed on methadone maintenance for the rest of their
pregnancy. The women are placed on a special diet, and, in their last 3 months
of pregnancy, are housed together to develop a supportive environment tor the
soon-to-be mothers.
Flanagan (1995) described two different programs implemented in Maryland.
The first program is called Healthy Start, and it provides health care to pregnant
inmates, which can be continued upon release. The women are urged to decrease
their high-risk behaviors, they are provided counseling and education about their
pregnancy, and they are taught parenting techniques. The pregnant women are
taught about appropriate diets and vitamins, and they are provided with informa-
tion about the effects of drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes. Emphasis is also placed on
keeping appointments with doctors. The second program is called Baby Talk and
focuses more on educational topics than health care. Both pregnant inmates and
prisoners who already have children participate in this program. Topics include:
prenatal information; stages of fetal development; dealing with a second or third child;
labor and delivery; postpartum information; postpartum blues; breast feeding; infant:
diet; food sensitivities and allergies; interacting with the infant; "high need" babies;
colic; discipline; and nurturing, stimulating, and educating the baby. (p. 51)Finally, Ryan and Grassano (1992) described a program in the Santa Rita County
Jail in Alameda County, California, which developed following a lawsuit that preg-
nant inmates filed in 1986. A medical division was created to handle the needs of
women, and pregnant inmates were moved to their own housing unit separate from
the general population. Pregnant women are now provided with a special diet and
counseling services. They even are able to have an abortion if they choose that
option. The pregnant inmates also are provided with an exercise program and social
services if necessary.
Forensic Psychology and Policy Implications
A significant problem that exists for pregnant inmates is the lack of standardized poli-
cies regarding their needs. Although the courts have continuously ruled that health
care must be provided, specific state statutes still must be developed which define
procedures for handling pregnant women who become incarcerated (Wooldredge
& Masters, 1993). If standardized policies were implemented, then situations such
as Louwana's might be avoided. Hufft (1992) suggested that maternity care should
focus on assessment and intervention to help pregnant women adapt to the prison
environment, especially regarding their limited physical and emotional surround-
ings and new social support systems. Policies also should focus on special medical
skills for assessing the health of pregnant and postpartum inmates and on providing
prenatal education and childbirth classes (J. S. Wilson & Leasure, 1991).
Wooldredge and Masters (1993) offered suggestions for several areas to be in-
cluded in policies for pregnant inmates. They indicated that educational programs