Babies Behind Bars
Updated: May 11, 2007
DECATUR- A new program in Decatur is keeping moms and baby together, behind bars.
It was a groundbreaking moment for Decatur's women's prison. Ribbon cutting And little Mason was the star of the show... "Oh yes. He's spoiled," says inmate and mom Tami Cain.
He's the first baby born behind bars and he'll stay with mom until she walks free.
"I have an overwhelming urge to completely change my life and not come back here."
Tami Cain has been here for three months on drug charges. She fits the strict criteria to keep her baby because this is her first time in prison and she's set to go home in less than two years.
Those behind the live in nursery say it's giving these inmates the motivation to be good moms and good citizens.
Warden Mary Kepler says, "It gives them responsibility there isn't somebody else that's going to take the baby and look after it."
Baby Mason doesn't know he's in prison. He just knows he's with mom and Tami wants to keep it that way.
"The road that I was on was not the right one and I was gonna end up here over and over again. I've completely changed and having him helped even more."
For those who worry about babies in prison.The Illinois Department of Corrections says it reduces the number of re-offenders and helps the children stop the cycle.
It was a groundbreaking moment for Decatur's women's prison. Ribbon cutting And little Mason was the star of the show... "Oh yes. He's spoiled," says inmate and mom Tami Cain.
He's the first baby born behind bars and he'll stay with mom until she walks free.
"I have an overwhelming urge to completely change my life and not come back here."
Tami Cain has been here for three months on drug charges. She fits the strict criteria to keep her baby because this is her first time in prison and she's set to go home in less than two years.
Those behind the live in nursery say it's giving these inmates the motivation to be good moms and good citizens.
Warden Mary Kepler says, "It gives them responsibility there isn't somebody else that's going to take the baby and look after it."
Baby Mason doesn't know he's in prison. He just knows he's with mom and Tami wants to keep it that way.
"The road that I was on was not the right one and I was gonna end up here over and over again. I've completely changed and having him helped even more."
For those who worry about babies in prison.The Illinois Department of Corrections says it reduces the number of re-offenders and helps the children stop the cycle.
