JEFFERSON CITY, MO (KMOX) - Missouri legislators advance a bill to create the state's first prison nursery.
It would allow inmates who give birth while incarcerated up to 18-months with their newborns in a special care facility.
Representative Bruce DeGroot of Chesterfield says he's worked with the Department of Corrections on the concept. "I don't think they were wild about the bill when I first brought it to them, but they have been fantastic to work with, taking it upon themselves to go visit a prison nursery in Indiana to see how it's working over there." DeGroot says prison managers understand the importance of the issue and that any facility ensure babies are safe.
The legislature has until Friday evening when the session ends to pass it.
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