A Unique Support Program

Pregnancy is an intense journey, and for women who find themselves incarcerated, the challenges can be even more daunting. A Brooklyn-based initiative is addressing these challenges head-on, partnering with Rikers Island to provide much-needed care and connection for expectant mothers.

Inspiring Change from Within

Inside a nurturing environment filled with toys and books, Sophia Martin navigates her pregnancy with guidance from her doula. “Hopefully everything will be good, and he’ll be nice, big and healthy,” Martin expressed. “He’s definitely moving a lot. I feel like I’m ready, but not right now.”

This supportive setting is not a conventional healthcare facility; it is a nursery within the confines of Rikers Island.

Ongoing Dignity Amidst Incarceration

Martin is among a select group of mothers receiving assistance through a collaboration with the Caribbean Women’s Health Association (CWHA). Mathania Toussaint, a full-spectrum doula, emphasizes the significance of offering support in such a challenging environment. “Trying to find ways to support them within these walls is the hardest thing,” said Toussaint. “But we make it work.”

CWHA is recognized as the largest provider of doula services in New York City. Cheryl Hall, the organization’s executive director, stated, “When we were asked by the Department of Correction to come in to work in Rikers, we were excited because we were going to be seeing women who really need the service.”

Support for Families in Transition

Department of Correction Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie highlighted the program’s role in helping expectant mothers maintain their dignity: “Incarceration happens, but it doesn’t stop you from providing for your family. You’re still a mother. You’re still a father, and you still need to show up.”

Facility Programs Executive Director Nadely Tavarez pointed out that the program fosters empowerment: “They help them feel less alone and give them the voice that they need to be able to advocate for themselves when they are in the hospital talking to a doctor.”

This initiative connects women in custody with visiting doulas during pregnancy and several months postpartum, facilitating trust in a typically isolating environment.

A Focus on Humanity

As the program continues to support mothers like Martin, it provides a crucial focus away from their legal situations, allowing them to concentrate on their upcoming births. “Yes, we are incarcerated individuals, but we’re still human,” Martin stated. “And, you know, we have our rights, and it’s the first time anybody’s actually worried about our comforts.”

This initiative serves as a reminder that life’s important moments, such as the arrival of a newborn, can still be celebrated even in constrained circumstances.