Development of an educational/support group for pregnant women in prison.
It is estimated that 6-10% of women are pregnant when they enter the prison system. The majority have had little, if any, prenatal care and/or childbirth education. Given economic constraints, the educational and support needs of this population are often not met. In response to these needs, an educational/support group was developed and led by a social worker, a mental health clinical nurse specialist, and a nurse midwife in a women's correctional facility in the Northeast. Women in various stages of pregnancy and early postpartum voluntarily attended. The need for education and psychosocial support was overwhelming. This group fostered a safe space for women to discuss real-life issues in a supportive environment. Meeting the educational and support needs of incarcerated women is paramount.
College of Nursing, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island 02881, USA. ggf@uri.edu
Ginette G
GG
Ferszt
Debra A
DA
Erickson-Owens
D001294:Attitude to Health; D003479:Curriculum; D005260:Female; D053604:Forensic Nursing; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009511:New England; D009720:Nurse Clinicians; D009721:Nurse Midwives; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D015279:Organizational Culture; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D011329:Prisoners / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D011330:Prisons / Q000458:organization & administration; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012944:Social Support; D012947:Social Work