Women in the System

Advancing Safety, Dignity, and Smart Reform for Women Behind Bars

As leaders who believe in justice, order, and human dignity, we recognize that true prison reform must include meaningful protections and programming for women—especially mothers, first-time offenders, and pregnant inmates. Our correctional system has historically been built for men, but today, women are the fastest-growing segment of the incarcerated population. And too often, their unique needs go unmet.
We are working to change that—not by compromising on accountability, but by pursuing reforms rooted in compassion, common sense, and conservative principles.

Why Reform for Incarcerated Women Matters

Many incarcerated women are nonviolent offenders, with charges tied to addiction, poverty, or past victimization. The vast majority are mothers, and a significant number are survivors of sexual or domestic abuse.
Despite this, they are routinely housed in facilities that:

• Lack gender-responsive health care and counseling.
• Offer few programs focused on family reunification or personal rehabilitation.
• Expose them to a higher risk of abuse, exploitation, and trauma while in custody.

This is not just inefficient—it is unjust. And it does nothing to break the cycle of crime or protect communities in the long term.

Pregnant Inmates Deserve Safety—and a Smarter Solution

We believe that pregnant women who are first-time or nonviolent offenders should not be housed in general prison populations. These women need structured environments where they can safely carry to term, give birth with dignity, and remain with their newborns during critical bonding periods.
To support this, we advocate for:

• The creation of dedicated housing facilities for pregnant, nonviolent defendants, particularly those awaiting trial or sentencing.
• Mother-infant care units that allow postpartum mothers to remain with their newborns while receiving parenting support and rehabilitation services.
• A ban on inhumane practices like shackling during childbirth and the denial of postnatal care.

Keeping mothers and infants together when safe and appropriate leads to better outcomes—stronger families, lower recidivism, and healthier children.

Our Policy Priorities for Women’s Justice Reform

We believe prison should be a place for accountability—but also a place where rehabilitation is possible. Our reform priorities include:

• Protecting women from sexual abuse and misconduct through stricter oversight, independent complaint processes, and better staff training.
• Expanding faith-based and trauma-informed programs tailored to female inmates.
• Increasing access to prenatal, postnatal, and mental health care.
• Creating family-focused alternatives to incarceration for low-risk mothers.
• Supporting job training, education, and reentry services that help women rebuild their lives and support their children after release.

A Safer, More Just System for All

A justice system that ignores the specific needs of women is incomplete—and it fails everyone. We can and must protect incarcerated women while also holding them accountable for their actions.

When we protect the vulnerable, we promote public safety. When we build systems that support family and rehabilitation, we reduce repeat offenses and long-term dependency. And when we reform with dignity, we live up to the values that define us.

Conclusion: Reform Rooted in Strength and Mercy

We believe in a system that is firm, fair, and forward-looking—one that recognizes that even behind bars, every person has worth, and every woman deserves protection, opportunity, and a chance to return to her community stronger than before.

Together, we can lead the way in creating justice reform that reflects our highest values—safety, accountability, and redemption.