What Life Is Like For Children Who Are Raised In Prison

Prisoners With Babies Aren’t Given Special Treatment

At Bedford, women with children live in a separate wing apart from the general inmate population. But they are not allowed to have luxuries such as cell phones, jewelry or makeup. And they are only allowed to have three photos each month of their babies. “We don’t have a lot of space,” McDougall revealed. “It’s hard.” While challenging, she believes having Max in prison was a good thing. “I’ve had time to clean up my act and really see where I was headed,” McDougall said. “It wasn’t in a good direction. I think at the end of it all now. I kind of think this saved my life.”

Although the rules are tough, prisons also offer moms opportunities they may not have outside.