Reality of Orange is the New Black
In June, the popular Netflix series, Orange is the New Black returned for its second season. The show follows Piper, who was sentenced to 15 months in a federal penitentiary for drug trafficking. Her time in the all-female correctional facility is spent with other women who are there for a variety of crimes. Included in the cast of recurring characters is a pregnant inmate. For us, we face the reality of Orange is the New Black everyday through the women and families we serve through our MOMobile at Riverside Correctional Facility program. There are approximately 20-40 pregnant women incarcerated in Philadelphia at any time. However, their stories don’t end when the director shouts “cut.” It’s a daily struggle and the effects for mom and baby can be felt for years to come.
The majority of women in Philadelphia jails are mothers. Women who are pregnant at the time of their incarceration frequently have high‐risk pregnancies stemming from histories of physical and sexual abuse, drug and alcohol use and mental health conditions. At our MOMobile at Riverside program, we work to address these issues by providing health education and support to the woman and her family during incarceration and up to one year after release. When it is time for mom to give birth to her baby, we also provide Doula or labor support. Sometimes we are the only familiar face in a sea of white coats and uniforms. After the baby’s birth, he or she will often be cared for by a family member. We support these caregivers by providing them health education about the development of the baby and connecting them to resources in the community that will help improve the health and wellbeing of the baby and mom when she returns home. You can read one story below:
I became Michelle’s doula through the MOMobile at Riverside program. One part of my job is to advocate for the mother’s needs during labor and be there as inmates are separated from their babies. When separated, I facilitate the link between mother, child and caregiver, bringing news, pictures and resources.
Michelle is an inmate at Riverside Correctional Facility (RCF). She entered RCF pregnant. Early pregnancy scans had shown developmental problems and although doctors had searched for an answer, it soon became clear that her baby would not survive. Michelle was given a choice to undergo a C-section, ending the pregnancy, or to allow the baby to develop fully and to wait for labor to start. She chose the latter, so that she could hold her baby and mourn its loss.
Michelle was not permitted family support during the birth so my role was critical– I was all she had. After a series of false labors, by the time I arrived, the baby had passed and Michelle was cradling her child, having given birth alone. I stayed with her and comforted Michelle long after the child was taken away.
However brief, with the help of MOMobile, Michelle was able to follow the path that she wanted and was able to celebrate the life of her child in the way that worked for her. As her doula I was able to advocate for her, and then to help her come to terms with what had happened, if just holding her hand and reminding her that she was not alone. Several hours later, I was back to support another client who was giving birth to twins. After laboring, with my support, she gave birth to a healthy boy and girl.
Maybe that is a doula’s role. I am a witness to a full life cycle and everything in between.” Saleemah McNeil, MOMobile at Riverside Advocate.
Once mom is released from jail, our support continues for up to one year. We assist her in reconnecting with her child, establishing a home and accessing community resources so that mom and baby can be reunited. The work we do during incarceration ensures that a strong connection can begin even during the time the mom and baby are apart. We find when women are connected to their children, they are less likely to return to prison.
While Orange is the New Black has done an enormous amount to show the experience of incarcerated women, real life is much more challenging. Having a program like the MOMobile at Riverside can make a huge difference for women when they give birth, separate from their child and then return to their communities and families after release.