Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Live-In Nursery Within a Women's Prison

ABSTRACT

This paper examines a live-in nursery program for women inmates in Nebraska. Only three known programs exist in the United States. Measurement standards were determined and tested to establish a known base line for future evaluations to help determine the effectiveness of the nursery program in Nebraska. The cost impact on prisons and profiles of those inmates in such programs are presented. States considering methods to reduce misconduct reports and possible recidivism rates should consider implementation of live-in nurseries within correctional institutions.