Toddlers in Prison

The New York Times recently ran an article that begged me to read it.  It dealt with a program in Mexico City that allows, actually requires children born to incarcerated mothers to live with them inside the prison.  Don't believe me?  Check out the article here: .  

As an early childhood person, this program fascinates me.  I can see both sides of the argument.  On one hand, leaving a child born in prison with his mom can help to foster mother-child attachment (good for child well-being), and can also serve as an important motivator for the mother's behavior in prison as well as her desire to learn new skills that could help build a better life for herself and her child upon release.  The article notes that the children living in the prison live safely among prisoners, that they have their own pre-school program overseen by experts, and that they are allowed to leave on weekends for visits with other family.  

The most difficult part of the arrangement seems to be preparing mother and child to separate from each other when the child turns six, at which point they transition to another family member or foster home.  What kind of long-term impact does this separation from the primary caregiver have on these kids?  The article does not provide data on this, yet certainly there is much available research on the impact of such loss on young children, as well as the emotional upheaval that can accompany the return of that caregiver years later. 

Whatever initial reaction (more of intrigue than anything else) I had to the article, the more I think about it, the more I see its benefits and its challenges.  What are your opinions?  Is it better to keep a child in prison with its mother, or make an earlier palcement to foster or relative care?  Does living among prisoners send a subconcious message about socially unacceptable behavior?  Are the benefits to the mothers and other prisoners compelling to you?  Parents, were you to be incarcerated, would you want your children with you, or not?