IN 1974, THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDED APPROXIMATELY $1 MILLION TO FUND A CITIZEN'S INITIATIVE PROGRAM FOCUSING ON THE CONCEPT OF A PRISON FOR MOTHERS AND CHILDREN. IN 1977, A LAW WAS ENACTED THAT ESTABLISHED FACILITIES FOR MOTHERS AND CHILDREN ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. THIS LAW, HOWEVER, HAS NOT BEEN IMPLEMENTED. AT THE PRISON UNDER CONSIDERATION IN THE ARTICLE, PREGNANT WOMEN ARE GIVEN PRIORITY FOR ACCEPTANCE TO THE FACILITY PROGRAM WHERE THEY CAN KEEP THEIR CHILDREN AFTER BIRTH. MOTHERS COMMITTED TO PRISON WITH CHILDREN UNDER 6 YEARS OF AGE ARE ALSO CANDIDATES FOR THE FACILITY. A TOTAL OF 91 WOMEN AND 108 CHILDREN HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAM. WHEN A WOMAN IS RELEASED AFTER SERVING HER FULL TERM, SHE IS NOT PLACED ON PAROLE. SHE IS GIVEN AN ALLOTMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR LIVING QUARTERS AND FOOD. SHE IS ENCOURAGED AND HELPED BY SOCIAL WORKERS TO REESTABLISH HERSELF IN SOCIETY. THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY FOR WOMEN IN THE FACILITY IS 9 MONTHS. THE TWO MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM ARE TO KEEP DETRIMENTAL INFLUENCES AWAY FROM CHILDREN AND TO AID IN HEALING CHILDREN PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY. STAFF CONSIST OF FIVE CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS WHO ALTERNATE THEIR SHIFTS TO MAINTAIN 24-HOUR COVERAGE. SOCIAL WORKERS INTRODUCE MOTHERS TO THE DUTIES OF CHILD CARE. IN A PLANNED EVALUATION OF THE PRISON, THERE WILL BE THREE CONTROL GROUPS COMPRISED OF CHILDREN IN CHILDREN'S HOMES, MOTHER AND CHILD PAIRS IN NORMAL FAMILY LIFE ON THE OUTSIDE, AND MOTHERS IN PRISON WHO CANNOT KEEP THEIR CHILDREN DUE TO LACK OF SPACE. PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE FACILITY ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)