Mothers and Infants Nurturing Together (MINT) Program Requests

The BOP does provide female offenders with certain programs and services to meet their physical, social, and psychological needs. The BOP also provides female federal prison inmates with medical and social services related to pregnancy. All female inmates are medically screened for pregnancy upon admission to federal prison and are instructed to inform medical staff as soon as they suspect they are pregnant.

---

One such program that is offered by the BOP is the Mothers and Infants Nurturing Together (MINT) program. This is an alternative, residential program for minimum security women who are pregnant at the time of sentencing. The MINT program is a RRC-based residential program that promotes bonding and parenting skills for low-risk female inmates who are pregnant. Women are eligible to enter the program if they are in their last three months of pregnancy, have less than five years remaining to serve on their sentence, and are eligible for furlough. When they enter the program they receive prenatal care at a cooperating hospital, give birth and bond with their babies for three months following birth at a Community Corrections Center (CCC or Halfway House).

---

The inmate or inmate appointed guardian is responsible for the child’s medical care while residing at MINT. The mother is provided three months to bond with the newborn child before returning to her federal prison to complete her sentence. In select MINT programs, the inmate, if qualified, may stay for an additional period of bonding with the child. Certain programs will allow the mother and child to be together at this RRC facility for up to eighteen (18) months. The Prison Consulting Group has the details, information, eligibility criteria, and the procedure to be followed for acceptance. 

---

Prior to placement in the MINT Program, the mother is required to make arrangements for a custodian to care for the child during her remaining incarceration. Newborn children are not permitted to return to federal prison with their mothers. They can, however, accompany an approved adult visitor to visit their mother. Referral to the MINT program is at the discretion of the inmate’s Unit Team. While in the MINT program the inmate may participate in pre-natal programs which include childbirth, parenting, and coping skills classes. The program was designed to help incoming pregnant female offenders. The focus of this program is to encourage positive interaction and bonding between the mother and child in a highly structured environment.

PCG will assist its clients in preparing for and securing admission to the Mothers and Infants Nurturing Together (MINT) Program.

---