The majority of incarcerated women in the U.S. are mothers, often the primary caregivers to young children. Each year, an estimated 58,000 pregnant people are admitted to prisons and jails nationwide, according to the Advocacy and Research on Reproductive Wellness of Incarcerated People (ARRWIP).
Since 2010, the Minnesota Prison Doula Project (MNPDP) has worked to ensure the safety and well-being of pregnant and postpartum mothers behind bars. Offering emotional, physical, and educational support, MNPDP is part of a national coalition under The Ostara Initiative — a name that symbolizes spring and new beginnings. Ostara includes partner programs in Alabama, Oregon, Illinois, California, Texas, and now Minnesota.
On July 16–18, MNPDP hosted 13 doulas from eight states — including Virginia, Washington, Mississippi, and Wisconsin — for an advanced prison doula training in South Minneapolis. Held at the New City Center, the three-day training was designed to expand the doulas’ skills and deepen their impact with incarcerated clients…