Pregnant and Parenting Girls in Detention
Under current law, local detention centers are responsible for defining their own standards of care for pregnant or parenting detainees. This means that the level and quality of care can be defined quite differently from location to location and leaves care guidelines subject to the particular persuasion of the current administrative directors.
For example, the Echo Glen Children's Center appears to largely provide appropriate care and services to its pregnant inmates. However, its practices are unwritten and ad-hoc, and any change in management could jeopardize appropriate care. Further, Echo Glen has not implemented policies to help foster and maintain the mother-child relationship during the teen mother's detention.
It is imperative for the state, through the Department of Social and Health Services and the Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration, to institute written policies governing the care and services provided to pregnant and parenting girls in their care, as well as their children. Services should not cease as soon as a girl is released from confinement, and the state must continue to support the new mother during her transition back into her family and her community. It may also be important for the state to monitor the girl and her infant for many years in order to determine the long-term impact of services on their future development.
How Washington Appleseed is Helping
Recognizing the vulnerability of pregnant and parenting girls in detention and the need for a short term fix while a long-term solution is forged, our research team aims to:
- Produce an information pamphlet for teen mothers in the juvenile justice system in Washington State, outlining their legal rights and the services available to them.
- Produce a comprehensive resource guide for the juvenile justice professionals responsible for their welfare.
- As a systemic approach is necessary, identify appropriate avenues for advocacy around legislation directing the adoption of appropriate policies and procedures to ensure the best possible outcomes for these girls and their children.
Publications
Helping girls in detention
Seattle Post Intelligencer
August 29, 2007
Pro Bono and Community Partners
A special thank you to our pro bono volunteers: Wendy Chen, Kelly Angell, Alice Ostdiek, Joanna Plichta and Claire McHugh.
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