Title: Social Justice Education Through the Development of Inmate Lactation Policies
Lead Presenter: Carol Suzuki
Co-Presenters:
Session Abstract: As part of its interdisciplinary approach to social justice education, law students in the University of New Mexico School of Law Clinical Law Programs promote human rights and child health through the clinic’s Breastfeeding Task Force Project. The Project offers students an opportunity for large-scale impact legal services. New Mexico ranks among the lowest states in child and infant health, education, and overall child well-being. Jails and prisons in New Mexico do not have nurseries for inmates who are pregnant or new mothers. Students are working in collaboration with medical professionals, corrections officials, and inmate advocates to develop best practices lactation policies for women inmates and their children to reduce the effects of adverse childhood experiences while advocating for social justice. This session will include discussion of what concerns of the inmate mothers, child advocates, health care professionals, and correctional officers are best addressed in best practices policies to promote lifelong health for the child and reduce recidivism of women offenders.
Session Material:
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