Babies Behind Bars

Amanda Evans of WCIA News in Champaign (Illinois) reports on a new program at the Decatur women's prison. The star of this show is Mason, son of inmate Tami Cain:

He's the first baby born behind bars and he'll stay with mom until she walks free.

"I have an overwhelming urge to completely change my life and not come back here."

Tami Cain has been here for three months on drug charges. She fits the strict criteria to keep her baby because this is her first time in prison and she's set to go home in less than two years.

Those behind the live in nursery say it's giving these inmates the motivation to be good moms and good citizens.

Warden Mary Kepler says, "It gives them responsibility there isn't somebody else that's going to take the baby and look after it."

Baby Mason doesn't know he's in prison. He just knows he's with mom and Tami wants to keep it that way.

"The road that I was on was not the right one and I was gonna end up here over and over again. I've completely changed and having him helped even more."

For those who worry about babies in prison, the Illinois Department of c=Corrections says it reduces the number of re-offenders and helps the children stop the cycle.