On November 3, 2023, CIC hosted its first symposium of the Global Prison Nursery Network (GPNN) at Columbia University Law School. 

It has been estimated that a total of 19,000 children are living with one of their incarcerated parents in nearly every country in the world. However, due to the lack of official and reliable data, the actual number may be much higher.

Globally, the incarceration rate of women, many of whom are pregnant or mothers of young children, is rapidly growing, increasing the urgency for more evaluation of prison systems in which children live with parents and the exploration of community-based alternatives.

In response to this need, CIC established the Global Prison Nursery Network (GPNN). This network will facilitate the sharing of information and promote collective action on behalf of children. The first GPNN Symposium was a success, with over 100 people registering to attend this hybrid event. We are currently planning our 2024 GPNN Symposium.

To watch a recording of the 2023 Symposium, click HERE.

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2023 Agenda

• 8:30 Continental Breakfast and Sign In
• 9:00-9:15 Opening Remarks
  • Susan Sturm, Director, Center for Institutional and Social Change, Columbia Law School
  • Julie Matonich, Attorney, Co-Founder Children of Incarcerated Caregivers
• 9:15-9:30 Keynote Speaker
  • Nancy Loucks, PhD, Chief Executive Families Outside, Scotland Chair, International Coalition of Children With Incarcerated Parents
• 9:30-10:30 Models of Prison Nurseries
  • Teresia Nyaoro, Program Lead Children and Girls, Clean Start, Kenya
  • Judith Clark, Community Justice Advocate, Hour Children
  • Moderator Veronica Horowitz, PhD, Assistant Professor of Sociology, University at Buffalo
• 10:30-10:45 BREAK
• 10:45-12:00 Lived Experience with a Prison Nursery Program: Mothers’ Perspectives
  • Roslyn D. Smith, Beyond Incarceration Program Manager, V-Day
  • Miyhosi Benton, Women and Justice Project
  • Moderator Helen Kim, MD, Medical Director and Co-Founder, Mother-Baby Program and Redleaf Center for Family Healing, Hennepin County Medical
• 12:00-12:45 LUNCH FOR SPEAKERS AND ATTENDEES
• 12:45-1:45 Compliance with International and U.S. Laws
  • Benoit Van Keirsbilck, Director, Defense for Children International – Belgium Member of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
  • Gretta L. Goodwin, PhD, Director, GAO Homeland Security and Justice team
  • Moderator Barbara A. Frey, J.D., Emerita director of the Human Rights Program, University of Minnesota
• 1:45-2:45 Support from NGOs and Communities
  • Natasha Roberts, Direct Services Program Manager, Puget Sound Educational Service District
  • Lindsay Owens, Early Head Start Site Manager at the Washington Corrections Center for Women, Puget Sound Educational Service District
  • Dr. Smita Dharmamer, Associate Director, Aangan Trust, India
  • Moderator Julie Matonich, Attorney, Co-Founder Children of Incarcerated Caregivers
• 2:45-3:00 BREAK
• 3:00-4:30 Alternatives and Abolition
  • Lori Timlin, Parenting Program Coordinator, Minnesota Department of Corrections
  • Stuti Shah, Doctoral Candidate, Columbia University – Dr. Martha Paynter, Assistant Professor of Nursing, University of New Brunswick
  • Moderator Paul Dosh, PhD, Associate Professor of Political Science, Macalester College
• 4:30 Closed meeting of GPNN