Mother's Program Graduates Tenth Class

The Mother's Program of the West Roxbury Division of the Boston Municipal Court, a 12-week parenting class for women offenders, graduated its tenth class recently.

The graduation class included nine mothers who are on probation for offenses that include larceny, assault and battery and drug charges. They range in age from their early 20's to their late 30's. The mothers received a certificate, book titled "Dream the Boldest Dream" by Lonetta Cole, a rose and enjoyed a cake following the ceremony. Among the speakers at the graduation were Boston Municipal Court Chief Justice Charles Johnson, Judges Kathleen E. Coffey, and Robert C. Rufo. Judge Dennis Curran was in attendance as well as West Roxbury District Chief Probation Officer Anthony Owens. The founder of the program, West Roxbury District Assistant Chief Probation Officer Helen Brown, congratulated the mothers.

Assistant Chief Brown said she witnessed mothers in the program, who were homeless, find adequate housing for themselves and their children. One mother regained full custody of a child after a ten-year period. The child had been adopted by her foster family. The program, according to Brown, put the mother in touch with a social worker from the Department of Social Services who informed her of her rights. The mother, a recovering drug addict, did some research and learned that she could have her child returned. Mother and daughter will celebrate their first Christmas together in years. Several mothers returned to school to complete their education or received job training.

Linda Pisano, a spring 2003 Mothers Program graduate, said the program helped shore up her self-esteem. Pisano, the mother of a young child, landed a job in a doctor's office and has volunteered to return to the program to speak to participants about the lifeline the program became for her.

"I learned about resources that I didn't even know existed. They treated us as equals and built us up. They told us that we are role models for our children. I try to practice everything they taught me," Pisano said.

Established in 1998, the Mothers Program has enrolled more than 90 women. The mothers meet once a week at the courthouse and attend lectures and interactive sessions on issues that range from substance abuse to employment and nutrition to education. Upon completion of the program, the mothers participate in an aftercare program which assists in their recovery and helps them stay on the right side of the law. The program has an 85 percent success rate. Only 14 of the 94 graduates have been arrested after completing the program.

"The success of this program rests primarily on the dedication of the probation staff: Chief Anthony Owens, Assistant Chief Helen Brown and Probation Officer Crystal Heck. They have created an environment where a mother's self-esteem, worth and identity are constantly validated and affirmed. The weekly sessions provide the women essential information to help them raise their children but it is the support and care provided by the staff that are the essential ingredients. The Mother's Program is turning lives around, keeping the women free of involvement with the justice system and most importantly, giving them the life skills to raise children in a healthy and stable home," said Judge Kathleen Coffey.

Owens said of the program, "As an extension of good Probation Supervision, the Mothers Program works well because week after week everyone is focused on three very important things: children, choices, and change."

The speakers come from the Department of Social Services; AID to Incarcerated Mothers; Big Sister/ Brother Association; E-13 Domestic Abuse Unit; READ BOSTON; Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC); Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); and the Elizabeth Stone House.

Owens and Brown attribute part of the success of the program to the aftercare model the program uses. It was funded by a $9,999 Boston Police Block Grant. Graduates meet with a licensed social worker who tracks their lives and ensures that their needs are met.

The Massachusetts Probation Service is a department of the Massachusetts Trial Court. There are 14 Superior Court, 62 District Court, eight Boston Municipal, and 14 Probate and Family Court probation departments throughout the Commonwealth. Probation’s Juvenile Court system includes 11 divisions which represent every county in the state. The Office of the Commissioner of Probation (OCP) serves as the central administrative office for the state Probation service and the Office of Community Corrections which operates 21 Community Corrections Centers throughout the state.