Enhanced perinatal programs for people in prisons: A summary of six states' programs

Custodial and perinatal care patterns of women who received prenatal care while incarcerated in the Arkansas state prison system, 2014–2019

“…Estelle vs. Gamble (1976) established that all incarcerated persons are entitled to health care for "serious medical needs;" however, adherence to professional standards for perinatal care in carceral settings (e.g., ACOG, 2021;NCCHC, 2020;Sufrin, 2018) is not monitored or enforced, resulting in varied policies, programs, and outcomes across the U.S. (Buchanan, 2012). State and federal initiatives have begun to expand support for women who are incarcerated during pregnancy (Kotlar et al, 2015;Schroeder & Bell, 2005); however services vary widely in their accessibly and provision of care (Shlafer et al, 2022;Wilson et al, 2022). Indeed, it is notable that even amongst the growing body of literature on enhanced perinatal programs in carceral settings (e.g., Wilson et al, 2022), comprehensive programs specifically targeting mental health and addiction amongst this population are rare (Steely Smith, Wilson et al, 2023a;Steely Smith et al, 2023b).…”

“…State and federal initiatives have begun to expand support for women who are incarcerated during pregnancy (Kotlar et al, 2015;Schroeder & Bell, 2005); however services vary widely in their accessibly and provision of care (Shlafer et al, 2022;Wilson et al, 2022). Indeed, it is notable that even amongst the growing body of literature on enhanced perinatal programs in carceral settings (e.g., Wilson et al, 2022), comprehensive programs specifically targeting mental health and addiction amongst this population are rare (Steely Smith, Wilson et al, 2023a;Steely Smith et al, 2023b). 5 Taken together, our findings and those from past studies at the intersection of incarceration and pregnancy raise critical questions about when and for whom incarceration-rather than diversion to community-based treatment or alternative sentencing-is acceptable.…”