The women’s state prison population in the United States has grown 834% since 1978. More than half of these women are mothers to children under the age of 18. Separation after incarceration leaves families severely impacted and children traumatized. But, support systems do exist that allow women to keep a connection with their children. Jeesoo spent time with Taliah, Sarah, and Kamilah who are each participating in programs that help them keep a relationship with their kids. This helps the child’s mental health and lowers the chance that these women will return to prison.

SOURCES & FURTHER READING

Prison Policy report on women's state prison growth https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/...

The Sentencing Project on incarcerated women and girl https://www.sentencingproject.org/pub...

Economic Policy Institute on mass incarceration and children https://www.epi.org/publication/mass-...

CREDITS
Producer: Jeesoo Park
Camera: Michelle Pomeroy
Editor: Nick Blatt
Supervising Producer: Allison Brown

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