A conversation about a New York state prison allowing mothers to raise their babies behind bars is getting a lot of attention online.
NBC news reports that Bedford Hills Correctional Facility has the nation’s longest-running prison nursery. The all-women’s maximum-security prison in New York’s Westchester County has allowed hundreds of women who have started their sentences pregnant to bond with their babies while behind bars
It's one of eight facilities in the country using a prison nursery program. In most prisons, when a woman gives birth, the baby is taken away within 48 hours and sent to a relative or foster care.
After the report was released, many took to social media voicing their concerns about children being raised under these circumstances, some even calling it unconstitutional.
11Alive's Liza Lucas asked viewers on Twitter their thoughts on the program.
"If this is allowed it's child abuse! No child should be raised in a prison," one person tweeted.
Even though many disagree, others support the program.
"This has already been proven to have a positive outcome and should be done nationally," another Twitter user said. "These children do not spend their entire childhoods there and these are not violent criminals. Allowing Mom and baby to bond initially creates a tighter bond for life."
Supporters also say the program allows women to bond with their babies can help lower recidivism rates.
