Titus 2 Birthing at the Jail

Periodically I am asked how the jail program came about, program logistics, our present condition, and how to start a similar program. I hope this page answers some of those questions.

How Titus 2 Birthing was Birthed

I participate in several on-line birth professional email lists. One of of these loops, a doula wrote about her experience providing labor support to a prison inmate in Colorado. She described the woman being in labor and handcuffed to the bed. I had done labor support with a county jail inmate before, and knew that our situation locally was not that inhumane, but it certainly was not ideal. Inmates cannot have family present in labor and delivery, must have a guard with them at all times, are shackled after delivery, and received very little childbirth education when they received any at all. I resolved to see if I could change that.

I wrote a letter to our county sheriff explaining what I wanted to do, how I hoped to accomplish it, what benefits I expected to see, and what I expected the county to do in return. He responded with some enthusiasm and directed me to meet with the chaplain to discuss the details, review the curriculum, and determine when and how we would proceed. Chaplain Atwell was also positive in his response, so we scheduled a follow-up meeting with other jail staff personnel who had jurisdiction over the pregnant inmates: confinement, medical, and the chaplain staff.

All in all, it took about six weeks to get started. That included making sure the curriculum masters were ready, meeting with the inmates to insure that they were interested in such a program, and meeting with hospital chaplain and volunteer staff to coordinate efforts between entities.

The first class was June 24, 1998 and was attended by 14 inmates. At the close of 1998, 55 inmates had attended at least one class and we had finally managed to clear the paper trail hurdle for labor support and attend several births. In January of 1999, we started a second program in the Dallas jail. By then end of our first year, we had reached 99 inmates in Ft Worth and 36 in Dallas for a total of 135, and had provided labor support for 14 births.

Program Logistics

For childbirth education, the Titus 2 Birthing program uses the Titus 2 Birthing: A Return to the Biblical Model curriculum. The curriculum includes biblical wisdom and truth coupled with medical research and customary care. Inmates may start the program at any time during their confinement. Since the nine classes contain different topics, it is not uncommon for most of the inmates to start attending class at someplace other than the beginning of the series. This is not a problem. They can attend as long as they desire, and some have attended more than a full set of classes. We even have inmates attending class who are not pregnant; possibly looking for ways to assist their daughters to birth better or to learn better parenting skills.

Classes were held in the cell group for the first three and a half years, so anyone in the room could attend, including more than a few guards. Inmates receive individual handouts for that day's class so we cut down on the expense of providing handouts for classes they do not attend. Handouts are provided through the Chaplain's Office.

A lending library of approximately 40 books includes a variety of books on childbirth, parenting, grief, and marriage. These books, donated or purchased for the program, may be checked out for 2 weeks at a time. Inmates also receive a variety of childbirth and parenting magazines donated by Lamaze, American Baby and First Moments. These magazines are theirs to keep.

In September, 2001, a separate parenting class was started using the Sears' ParentProject curriculum. This material was supplemented with material aimed at moms with children older than age 2, so that the needs of more women could be met.

In January, 2002, the Titus 2 classes moved to a separate classroom outside the cell groups. This enabled a number of positive changes:

• fewer interuptions in the class and less competition with noise from other activities
• a regular roster of participants from all of the female cell groups in the facility (and, unfortunately, a sometimes lengthy waiting list!)
• a permanent cabinet to house our library so it didn't have to rolled in and out each week
• a large whiteboard for writing and display space for posters
• more class time available when enables students to complete the day's lesson and to get one-on-one counseling after class
• a dedicated prayer time with a place to post prayer needs, baby pictures, and information of general use
• more freedom for class activities, class discussion, and inmates have the opportunity to ask questions and get answers to any pregnancy or parenting concern they have
• Child Protective Service took note of the official nature of the parenting classes, attendance records and the certificates issued and began to accept class attendance as part of mandated parenting education for incarcerated moms

Classes are taught at the same time each week. Assistance with other needs is often handled at times other than class times so as not to interfere with the lessons and to preserve privacy issues. Referrals with other programs are more frequent and outside resources continue to be one of our greatest needs.

We have the opportunity to assess needs the inmate may have regarding the baby, if she delivers while incarcerated. If family members will care for the baby, we can assist by referring them to programs that will assist with the baby. If the inmate will be released prior to delivery, we can arrange to provide labor support at the location they have chosen.

Present Status -Oct. 2004

As of October 31, 2004, the Fort Worth Titus 2 Birthing program has worked with over 750 women and their families.

The parenting component is now more extensive than our childbirth effort, with two parenting classes held weekly. Both the Hidden Keys to Successful Parenting and Hidden Keys to Loving Relationships series by Dr. Gary Smalley now make up our main parenting curriculum. Supplements to these two series include appropriate discipline, anger management, Christian discipleship, and motivation strategies. Because there is a greater demand for parenting classes than childbirth classes, the waiting list is often long, but classes are larger and better attended.

How to Start Your Own Program

We have had several inquiries about assisting other jails to start a program. I suggest you start the same way we did. Approach your county sheriff and chaplain about the pregnant inmates. Discover how many pregnant inmates they average, where they deliver, and what requirements the jail and hospital staff may have in allowing labor support. Draft a letter explaining the value of labor support and childbirth education to the sheriff and chaplain. Detail your goals and requirements.

If you need assistance, we will be glad to help. We can provide copies of the letters we drafted, our program statistics, and assist you with curriculum. We can answer questions on how to obtain teaching resources and supplies. To request assistance, contact Rev. Kathy Rateliff at Titus 2 Birthing.

Titus 2 Birthing Program a VOICES 2004 Winner

Kathy Rateliff is a VOICES 2004 awards winer because of the work of the Titus 2 jail program. One of 100 winners in 2004, her program was chosen to be included with the other 99 out of 10,000 entries. We are grateful to Charming Shoppes Inc. for their acknowledgement of this program and the work it does.