Program at a Glance
The Leath Unit was named in honor of Officer Breann Leath, who once served as a correctional officer on the nursery unit before joining the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. Officer Leath was tragically killed in the line of duty on April 9, 2020. Renamed in her memory, the unit carries forward her legacy of service, compassion, and dedication.
Eligibility Criteria for Incarcerated Mothers
- Incarcerated individual shall be pregnant at the time she is delivered into the custody of the Department of Correction.
- Incarcerated individual's earliest possible release date is thirty (30) months or less from the Incarcerated Individuals projected delivery date.
- Incarcerated individuals who have been charged with a sex crime or any type of violence, abuse or endangerment of a child shall be reviewed by the Executive Director of Physical Health and the Warden.
- Incarcerated mother and child are free of severe functional impairment impacting daily living classified by physical and/or mental health diagnoses by a physician.
- Incarcerated mother is legal, sole custodian of the child.
- Incarcerated individual must be willing to sign a consent agreeing to abide by all rules and stipulations of the unit.
- Incarcerated individual must be willing to sign a release of information to research any involvement with Department of Child Services.
- Incarcerated mothers may be denied participation for any reason deemed appropriate by the Chief Medical Officer.
Selection & Enrollment
- Maternal-Child Healthcare Coordinator or (designee) shall keep an active database of all incarcerated individuals who are pregnant at the time she is received into the Department of Correction.
- Maternal-Child Healthcare Coordinator shall review all pregnant Incarcerated Individuals charges and conduct history for eligibility onto the unit.
- The Maternal-Child Healthcare Coordinator must schedule a consultation with all pregnant Incarcerated Individuals deemed eligible. No incarcerated individuals shall be admitted into the MCHU without meeting with the Maternal-Child Health Coordinator.
History of the Leath Unit
2008
Opened as the Wee One’s Nursery, one of only nine prison nursery programs in the U.S.
2019
Expanded to allow more participants and increased programming.
2020
Dedicated and renamed in memory of Officer Breann Leath.
2022
First onsite Pediatric Clinic opened, with care provided in partnership with Mothers on the Rise (MOR).