Mothers in prisons.

Comments TO THE EDITOR: According to official figures, there are currently more than 120 children under the age of two living with their mothers in Chilean prisons, and 35 pregnant women are incarcerated. More than half are held in pre-trial detention, without a conviction. Long hours of confinement, poorly lit spaces, inadequate ventilation, limited contact with the outside world, and difficulties accessing healthcare are just some of the problems in the mother-infant sections. This, combined with the early separation from the mother at the age of two, has repercussions that deepen existing vulnerabilities and cause profound damage to the development of these children. Despite the existence of targeted policies for this group, such as the "Growing Together" program, its capacity is limited, and the lack of inter-institutional coordination creates critical problems that affect both mothers and children. Since 2017, there has been a bill in the Senate that would allow these women to serve their sentences with alternatives to imprisonment, and that less restrictive precautionary measures be chosen instead of pre-trial detention. Unfortunately, after 9 years, the law is still under consideration, without legislative urgency. The lack of political will, the lack of resources, and the presence of unfounded prejudices have allowed this situation to persist, subjecting mothers and their children to consequences that go far beyond the prison. Reversing this reality is urgent and possible. Priority must be given to the pending bill and progress must be made towards decent conditions for this group, which cannot continue to wait. Antonella Oberti Director of Advocacy Prison Action Network More on: Bill Children living in prisons Sentences