ABSTRACT
The Foster-Care Placement Program began at Purdy Treatment Center in 1972. The program stemmed from discussion groups of inmate-mothers who focused on the problems they perceived in placing their children in foster care. For most foster parents, the primary emphasis was to provide stability, guidance, and direction for the children in the context of a loving, caring home environment regardless of where the parents were living. Foster parents mentioned a number of problems they had encountered in caring for children of imprisoned mothers. The Foster-Care Placement Program at the Purdy Treatment Center in Washington state is a unique way of enabling inmate-mothers and children to retain ties while mothers are in prison. Foster parents have willingly expended time and resources to bring children to the prison twice a month for daylong visits. In addition, foster parents should be encouraged to take a tour and participate in an orientation about the institution before taking children of imprisoned mothers.
