CHILD VISITATION PROGRAM
The Tennessee Prison for Women has long recognized the
need for mothers and their children to bond while the children are
young. Each week, the prison sponsors a weekend visitation program
that allows children between the ages of three months and five years
(up to their 6th birthday) to spend a weekend with his/her inmate
mother/grandmother.
Through recent renovations, the Tennessee Prison for Women has
established separate quarters away from the general inmate population
for the child visitation program. Through the efforts of this
program, infant and toddler children of qualifying inmates may be
given the opportunity to bond with their incarcerated mothers during
approved hours on the weekends.
An approved child visitation will allow only one child per visit,
however a total of sixteen children may stay with their mothers in
single cell units in the new visitation space dedicated for the
program. The child and mother eat their meals in a more relaxed
family setting within the unit. There is also space dedicated
for activities designed to foster child development. Future
plans include an outdoor recreation area that will have playground
equipment and picnic tables.
Before approval for weekend visitation is granted, the mother must
be classified to a medium or less custody level and be free of all
class "C" disciplines for at least 90 days and have no class
"A" or "B" disciplines for at least six months.
In addition, the mother must have successfully completed an
institution sponsored parenting skills class. The child must
have an approved application on file. Grandmothers are also
given the opportunity to spend weekend visitation on designated
months.
Inmates convicted of child abuse or neglect are not permitted to
participate unless visitation is recommended by the Department of
Children's Services or specified by the court. The child must be
in good health and not taking any medications during the visit.
During the visit, the mother must supervise her child at all times.
Failure to maintain supervision may cause the visit to be ended and
may jeopardize future visits. The mother must also provide the
name and telephone number of a local family member or friend who is
willing to pick up the child in the event of an emergency or if the
child becomes ill during the visit.
March 8, 2002, the Tennessee Department of Correction formally
dedicated the child visitation unit to the memory of former Tennessee
Prison for Women Warden Penny Bernhardt, who was instrumental in the
program's development and continued success. Penny Bernhardt
served as warden at the facility from 1972-1980, and again from
1986-1992.
Impact of
Incarceration on Children-This presentation discusses national
trends regarding parents in prison.
Send comments and questions to TDOC's
Webmaster.
