BOC describes maternal health oversight and nursery recommendations
Cintron Hernandez says maternal health requires services throughout pregnancy and postpartum and coordination during emergencies. BOC monitors facilities, advocates for nursery improvements, and recommends reviewing the nursery application process.
Maternal health involves more than the delivery of a healthy child.
It must ensure that every person in custody receives the services to keep them and their child healthy throughout pregnancy and postpartum.
Correctional and healthcare staff must coordinate effectively and respond appropriately to maternal and mental health emergencies and ensure continuity of care.
Accordingly, the board must have access to reliable information that allows us to understand whether services are delivered as intended.
Maternal health in every phase is vital and should be regarded as a right of all individuals.
The board has a productive partnership with the Department of Correction and Correctional Health Services on this particular topic, and we appreciate their efforts to address the needs of this population, including access to prenatal and special needs.
individualized obstetric care, mental health screenings, psychiatric referrals, and individualized discharge planning.
These efforts are particularly important given the mental health challenges that can arise while incarcerated during pregnancy and following childbirth, including postpartum depression,
anxiety, pregnancy loss, and separation from newborns.
The board has dedicated staff who monitor facilities where people in custody are placed throughout their pregnancy and during the postpartum period.
In the past, board staff have advocated for improvements to the nursery's recreation yard and safe and appropriate housing when the nursery was temporarily shut down for renovations.
Recognizing the importance of ensuring that those housed in the nursery or receiving postpartum care are produced for scheduled court appearances, we assess how DOC maintains appropriate child care arrangements for infants residing in the nursery.
Based on our observations of nursery operations throughout the years,
The Board recommends that DOC perform a comprehensive review of its policies regarding the nursery application process to accurately reflect current correctional procedures, including the 9 p.m.
Lock-in time and the discontinuation of the former punitive segregation designation.
The Board also handles complaints from all people in custody.
Troubleshooting and resolving them one-on-one.
From something as seemingly minor but not so as receiving a blanket, to ensuring crucial access to medical care,
Guaranteeing that the board can continue this work is an essential component to maintaining the standards that are currently in place and continuing to be improved upon.