Corrections Officers’ Knowledge and Perspectives of Maternal and Child Health Policies and Programs for Pregnant Women in Prison

In response to the dramatic increase in the number of women incarcerated in the United States—and a growing awareness that a small proportion of women enter prison pregnant and have unique health needs—some prisons have implemented policies and programs to support pregnant women (defined here as maternal and child health [MCH] policies and programs). The objective of this mixed-methods study was to understand Correctional Officers’ knowledge and perspectives of maternal and child health (MCH) policies and programs in one state prison, with a specific emphasis on the prison’s pregnancy and birth support (doula) program.