Crushing roadblocks to reentry are heightened by motherhood.
Shani Saxon May 5, 2021 2:00PM ET
Photo Credit: Women s Prison Association
Lisa was thrilled to learn she was pregnant a few years after serving close to 17 years in prison. She was still under parole supervision, but hoped that her pregnancy could be as normal as possible, filled with regular doctor appointments and self-care. She quickly learned, however, that the criminal justice system would make no exceptions for her and her pregnancy. Instead, she was forced to live with the fear and stress of knowing that one misstep would land her back behind prison walls.