If you are pregnant in jail or prison we don't want you to feel discouraged, we want to tell you there is hope.  When you have a baby in jail you may ask yourself what are your options for giving your baby the best life you can?  A Act of Love is here to assist you as you consider your options.

We at A Act of Love Adoptions can share some hope for you by providing information for giving your baby the best life you can under the current circumstances. These options are always your decision.  YOU still have control of making any decisions for your baby even if you are incarcerated.

Fortunately, when you’re pregnant and in jail, you have the same opportunity to give your child the best opportunities possible by choosing adoption. While each situation is unique, if you anticipate giving birth in prison or jail or want to make a plan for you baby before you leave jail or prison, you might want to consider adoption for your child’s best interest.

If you know you’ll be pregnant while incarcerated, you’ll want to work closely with your prison program manager. He or she can assist you in getting in contact with A Act of Love Adoptions. We have worked in jails or prisons on many occasions. We have experience in helping you through this difficult situation.  A Act of love Adoptions can assist you by providing with options available to you and how exactly an adoption works.

Here are the answers to some questions you may have:

How does a prison or jail adoption work?

While there will obviously be differences between your adoption as an inmate and an adoption for a woman who is not in jail, much of the process remains the same. You will be able to create an adoption plan that meets your needs (based on your prison policies and individual situation). You will be able to choose an adoptive family for your baby.  You can also share contact information if you choose an open adoption.

How do I decide that adoption is right for me?

Making an adoption decision when you’re pregnant and in jail, might seem complicated, but A Act of Love will help guide you through the process. When you are incarcerated, you will be assigned a program manager, who can give all the information you need to reach A Act of Love Adoptions by mail, email or phone.  We will have the resources you need to make the best decision for your child and help you move forward with the options you want to explore.

Deciding on adoption while in jail can be emotional. It is important that you don’t make this decision hastily. Let A Act of Love Adoptions help you understand how adoption can benefit you and your child.  An adoption decision can bring you comfort that your baby is safe, loved and thriving with the family of your choice.

How do I find adoptive parents for my baby while I’m pregnant in jail

Your incarceration does not prevent you from choosing the perfect adoptive family for your baby. Once you are connected with Act of Love Adoption professionals, you can share detailed information about what your preferences are for an adoptive family (for example, where they live, what their lifestyle is like, etc.). From there, A Act of Love will provide you adoptive family profiles, where you can see photos of families and learn more about who they are. While you likely will not have the chance to meet the families or ask them questions directly while incarcerated, your social worker will be able to answer any questions you may have.

Will I be able to have contact with my baby’s adoptive parents?

Most pregnant women in prison are able to have semi-open adoptions, which mean they receive photos and letters of their child after the adoption process is complete. Exactly how much contact you can have with the adoptive family during and after the adoption process will depend on your unique circumstances, including your security level and your sentence length. The social worker at A Act of Love Adoptions will work closely with your prison program manager to make sure you understand exactly what your options are while incarcerated with a semi-open adoption.

The adoptive family will pay for all of your contact expenses, including any phone calls you make to them, if allowed, and any stamps and paper you have to purchase from commissary to send them letters. Whether or not you have any contact with the adoptive family when you give birth to your baby will also depend on your circumstances, which your prison manager and Act of Love Adoptions social worker will discuss this with you when you create your hospital plan.

How much will my prison adoption cost me?

When you’re pregnant in prison and choose adoption, there is no cost to you. You will receive free counseling throughout your adoption process, and all of your adoption fees may be covered by the adoptive parents.

You may be able to receive some financial assistance to purchase items from commissary that may make your pregnancy more comfortable. For example, you may be provided money to purchase stamps for communication with the adoptive family or extra food.

How will I give birth to my baby in jail?

You and your prison program manager, along with your Act of Love Adoptions social worker, will give you hospital information and share details of how the birth of your baby will proceed. You’ll be moved to a local hospital, and your prison officials will likely monitor you throughout your hospital stay.  Whether or not you can meet the adoptive family during this hospital stay will depend upon your individual situation.

After you give birth to your baby, you will likely have the opportunity to spend recovery time with them in the hospital. It will be during this time that you’ll sign your adoption consent paperwork. Your adoption social worker or lawyer will visit you at the hospital and make sure you understand your legal rights before you make this permanent decision. When you’re ready, they’ll help you sign your adoption consent. Any other paperwork needed by the adoption attorney will likely be completed while you are still pregnant in jail.

What about my baby’s father?

If you decide on a prison or jail adoption, your Act of Love adoption social worker or attorney will work with you to learn more about your situation with your baby’s father and determine what kind of consent may be necessary from him. If his consent is needed, your social worker or attorney will take the necessary legal steps to obtain it.

There Is Hope…

Being pregnant while incarcerated is far from an ideal situation, but you will always have the option to choose what is best for your baby. It is important that all pregnant women in prison or jail become their own advocate, as they are the only ones who can decide what’s right for them and their baby.

Your Act of Love social worker will be able to work closely with you throughout this entire process, making sure you have the information and the resources you need. By choosing A Act of Love Adoptions you will find an adoption professional that will empathize with your circumstances and will never judge you for choosing adoption.

To get started with the adoption process in prison or jail, contact your prison program manager or A Act of Love Adoptions at:      aactofloveadoptions.com or 1-800-835=6360.