__________________________________________Ask the DA
 

I recently read that New York State has one of the largest female prison populations in the nation.  Why is that, and what is being done to address this alarming trend? 

 

Since 1980, the number of women entering prison in the United States has risen at an alarming rate due, in large part, to an increase in convictions for drug possession, drug dealing and property crimes.  Although their crimes are overwhelmingly nonviolent, many of these women are sentenced to lengthy, statutorily mandated prison terms. 

 

This explosion in the number of incarcerated women, 75% of whom are reported to be mothers, undermines the very foundation of our society – the family unit.  While their mothers serve out their prison terms, the children of incarcerated women are relegated to the care of others.  A significant number of these children are forced to make new homes for themselves in the foster care system, while others are cared for by surrogates who are unable to provide an appropriate level of care. 

 

Studies show that separating children from their mothers traumatizes children of any age and thwarts their development.  Children of incarcerated mothers in particular are far less likely than their peers to succeed in school and are much more likely to succumb to truancy, substance abuse, gangs, sexual misconduct and delinquency.  I have been made aware of instances in which young people have deliberately set out to be arrested in order to be nearer to their mothers who are in prison. 

 

Recognizing the urgent need to break this cycle, I am spearheading the development of a community-based, alternative-to-incarceration program for nonviolent defendant mothers and their children.  I believe that the creation of the
Regina Drew House, named in memory of my late mother, would advance the objective of crime reduction by rehabilitating the female offender while at the same time intervening in her family’s crisis before another generation follows her path.  This comprehensive program has received widespread support from both the public and private sectors.  However, securing the funding to build such a residence continues to pose a significant challenge. 

 

If we can use alternatives to incarceration to successfully rehabilitate drug offenders, surely we can use that same approach to rehabilitate nonviolent mothers while keeping their families intact. Society and the criminal justice system in particular must own up to the social costs incurred when mothers are forcefully removed from their children in retribution for nonviolent offenses.

 

For more information please visit the office’s Web site at www.brooklynda.org. To have your questions answered in a future column, send them to asktheda@brooklynda.org.

  
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