In a poignant government meeting, two mothers shared harrowing testimonies about the impact of incarceration on their families, highlighting systemic failures in the treatment of pregnant inmates and their children.

One mother recounted her own experience of being separated from her children during her imprisonment, expressing deep sorrow over the missed opportunities for her kids, who were left without basic activities and support while in foster care. She emphasized the need for alternatives to punitive measures that harm families, advocating for healing solutions that prioritize family unity.

Kareen Laboie, another mother, detailed the traumatic experience of her daughter’s pregnancy while incarcerated at York Correctional Institute in Connecticut. Laboie described the fear and uncertainty that enveloped their family as her daughter faced inadequate medical care and harsh treatment, including being shackled during her pregnancy and after giving birth.

The most distressing moment came when Laboie revealed that her granddaughter was born in a prison toilet due to the neglect of prison staff, who dismissed her daughter's pleas for help. The baby was initially unresponsive, and it was only through the quick actions of her daughter and fellow inmates that the infant survived. Laboie criticized the inhumane conditions and lack of proper medical support, stating that no family should endure such suffering.

Both testimonies underscored the urgent need for reform in the treatment of incarcerated individuals, particularly pregnant women, and called for a system that respects their dignity and rights. The meeting served as a platform for these mothers to advocate for change, aiming to prevent future tragedies and promote healing within families affected by the criminal justice system.