The county jail is partnering with a reproductive nonprofit to provide pregnant inmates with maternal support and training.
The Arlington County Sheriff’s Office announced a partnership with the Richmond-based organization, Birth in Color, to provide pregnant people in custody with birthing support while training other inmates to become community-based birthing coaches or doulas.
Sheriff Jose Quiroz said he hopes implementing this program will improve conditions for inmates who can use such support.
“The doula support and training provided by Birth in Color will not only benefit the individuals directly involved but will also contribute to the overall well-being of our detention facility,” said Quiroz in a press release. “We recognize the importance of ensuring that female individuals in our custody have access to resources that promote positive birth experiences and empower them during this significant life event.”
The founding Executive Director of Birth in Color, Kendra Sutton El, said the program will create a healthier environment for those who are pregnant while providing inmates with experience-based skills.
“We not only provide them with valuable skills but also contribute to creating a more supportive and holistic environment within the correctional facility,” said Sutton El.
The “empowering” experience can be shared by both the mother in labor and trained inmates when they address and understand the cultural and racial differences in the child birthing process, the press release notes. Participants will get “an understanding of different practices, beliefs and traditions related to pregnancy and childbirth.”
The partnership follows a series of complaints and reports from former and current inmates, the Arlington Human Rights Commission and the NAACP about the well-being of those in custody. The facility has been under scrutiny for a series of inmate deaths over the past several years.
More on the partnership, below, from a press release.
The Arlington County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) is pleased to announce a new partnership with Richmond-based organization Birth in Color. This collaboration, the first in the state of Virginia, aims to provide pregnant female individuals in our custody with options for doula support during their birth experiences and to train female inmates in becoming community-based doulas themselves, enhancing their skills and opportunities for the future. Doulas are non-medical professionals who support pregnant people before, during and after birth.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office to bring doula support to female individuals in our custody during their childbirth journey. Our mission at Birth in Color is to ensure every person, regardless of their circumstances, receives compassionate and empowering support during pregnancy and birth. By training inmates to become doulas, we not only provide them with valuable skills but also contribute to creating a more supportive and holistic environment within the correctional system,” stated Founding Executive Director Kenda Sutton-El.
Birth in Color will train female individuals in our custody to understand and address race and culture-related issues such as understanding cultural practices, beliefs and traditions related to pregnancy and childbirth. They can assist with advocacy where there may be cultural or racial disparities in healthcare, helping clients navigate the healthcare system, asking questions, and ensuring their preferences are heard and respected. Birth in Color doulas can also provide a safe space for clients to express their feelings, fears and hopes regarding pregnancy and parenting, considering the impact of cultural and racial factors so clients can make informed decisions, access resources, and feel confident in their childbirth journey while honoring their cultural identities. They play a vital role in promoting equity, inclusivity, and respectful care within the maternity care system.
“This partnership with Birth in Color aligns with our commitment to providing comprehensive care and support to all individuals under our supervision,” said Sheriff Jose Quiroz. “We recognize the importance of ensuring that female individuals in our custody have access to resources that promote positive birth experiences and empower them during this significant life event. The doula support and training provided by Birth in Color will not only benefit the individuals directly involved but will also contribute to the overall well-being of our detention facility.”
The collaboration between the ACSO and Birth in Color represents a proactive step towards addressing the needs of pregnant female individuals in our custody, promoting a culture of support in the correctional system and giving them valuable skills when they reenter the community.