(FBOP) - The Women and Special Populations Branch (WASPB) established a contract to develop a doula vocational training program for women in Bureau custody. The Doula Training Program is an exciting opportunity for incarcerated women that certifies them as doulas for birth, antepartum and/or postpartum women. This program provides women with a certification that can be used upon release.
Upon completion of the 125 training hours, participants earn a certificate from Childbirth International and a Prison Doula certificate from Ostara Initiative. The curriculum addresses labor and birth, becoming a birth doula, communication skills, prison birth work, and mentorship. The Doula Training Program is offered once a year at five locations (FCI Aliceville, FMC Carswell, FCI Dublin, SPC Greenville, and FCI Waseca) with up to 10 participants at each location.
The initial Doula Training cohort began at FCI Waseca and graduated on January 19, 2024, and was well received by both the adults in custody (AICs) and employees at FCI Waseca.
Recent graduate AIC Hamer stated in part, "I am so grateful for this program, thankful that the FBOP reached out for this training in their institutions. I signed up not really knowing what I was getting into, however, it changed my life and I have found my purpose. I am so excited to do great things in the community."
The next cohort will begin at FCI Aliceville in January 2024, SPC Greenville will begin in April 2024, FMC Carswell is scheduled to begin in July 2024, and FCI Dublin is scheduled to begin in October 2024.
The agency looks forward to the continued success of this program and potential future expansion.