Cradling Change

A Prison Nursery Program mom holds twin babies. — Kathy Briggs holds newborn twins Lyric and Melody in the Prison Nursery Program housing wing at Women's Eastern Reception, Diagnostic & Correctional Center (WERDCC) in Vandalia. Briggs was among the first cohort of moms to join the program, which opened in February 2025.

In Missouri’s first prison nursery, incarcerated moms find healing, hope — and the power of motherhood

Meet the Babies »

Quilting Donations: Monetary Donations Accepted for Restorative Justice Programs

Improving Lives for Safer Communities

In the Missouri Department of Corrections, we foster public safety, health and wellness. We support victims and give back to people in need. We facilitate treatment, education and job training to equip justice-involved Missourians with the skills they need to contribute to the state’s communities, inside and outside our walls. About 96 percent of people who enter prison return to Missouri cities and towns. We want to make sure they're good neighbors.