Ep 4. I Don't Want to See This Place Ever Again

Born Behind Bars follows the journey of incarcerated pregnant women and their experiences giving birth and raising newborns in correctional facilities. In season 1 episode 4, titled I Don't Want to See This Place Ever Again, viewers are introduced to Esperanza, a mother who has just given birth to her baby boy in prison.

Esperanza's story starts with her being arrested and charged with drug possession, and subsequently being sentenced to six years in prison. She was four months pregnant at the time of her arrest, and since then has given birth to her son, who she named Louie. The episode shows the difficult conditions that Esperanza and Louie face in prison, including cramped living quarters and limited opportunities for outdoor activities.

Esperanza is determined to provide the best possible life for her son, despite the challenges of raising a newborn in a correctional facility. She is shown attending classes on parenting and breastfeeding, as well as advocating for herself and other incarcerated mothers to have more resources and support in the prison system.

The episode also delves into the emotional toll of being separated from loved ones for extended periods of time. Esperanza tearfully recalls how much she misses her partner and family, and the impact that being incarcerated has had on their relationships. As she nears her release date, Esperanza is faced with the difficult decision of whether to allow her son to stay in the prison's nursery program or to send him to live with her family outside of prison.

Throughout the episode, viewers see the resilience and strength of Esperanza and other incarcerated mothers as they navigate the challenges of motherhood behind bars. The show sheds light on a rarely discussed topic, highlighting the need for reform in the criminal justice system to better support pregnant and parenting women in prison.

Overall, Born Behind Bars season 1 episode 4 offers a poignant look into the struggles and triumphs of a mother and her newborn living in prison, and the complexity of the decisions that they face as they plan for the future.