Senator Mary Kiffmeyer (R-Big Lake) presented and passed a bill that would authorize the conditional release for inmates who are postpartum and gave birth within eight months of the date of commitment. The Healthy Start Act allows eligible female inmates to go to a community-based program before, during, and after giving birth to their child. This program is not a mandate and would be permissive on a case-by-case basis for non-violent offenders. By placing pregnant female inmates in a community-based program, the policy is helping to foster a stronger mother/child relationship and positioning them to make better choices for their child in the future. 

“It is in the public good to see mothers and babies together to give the baby a better start in life that gives society less likelihood of recidivism and return to crime. Baby bonding helps mothers have the incentive to make better choices in their life by giving them training, education, mental health treatment, pre and post-natal care, parenting classes etc. that we can hopefully stop the vicious cycle for mothers and babies,” Kiffmeyer said.

The program will be developed and is under the authority of the Commissioner of Corrections, who must report to the Legislature each year on the number of inmates released and the duration of the release for the prior calendar year. In this program the savings offset the costs and the Department of Corrections will absorb administration work, there will be no local financial impact. 

This bill is supported by a wide variety of interest groups from MN Teen Challenge to the Children’s Defense Fund. The Healthy Start Act passed the Senate with unanimous bipartisan support on Tuesday.