Welcome to CLAIM
Chicago Legal Advocacy for Incarcerated Mothers (CLAIM) provides legal and educational services to maintain the bond between imprisoned mothers and their children.
CLAIM advocates for policies and programs that benefit families of imprisoned mothers and reduce incarceration of women and girls. (Read more)
Mothers Shackled During Labor Mon, 07/19/2010 - 1:31pm |  elizabeth
Two stories in recent days highlight the Cook County Sheriff's illegal shackling of women in labor. A recent Chicago Tribune article and a story on National Public Radio's All Things Considered report a class action lawsuit in federal court against the Cook County Sheriff's office for illegally shackling women in labor and feature the mothers whose rights were violated. |
CLAIM Staff Attorneys Cite Rewards and Challenges Fri, 05/21/2010 - 4:39pm | elizabeth
Molshree Sharma planned on a Ph.D. and a career in academia. But as time went on, she says, “I realized that I wanted to do something that was intellectually challenging but had concrete repercussions for people. I wanted to make a real, tangible difference in people’s lives.” |
Create guardianships so children can stay with trusted caregivers, and out of the foster care system. Teach mothers in jail about family law and the best interest of the child. Host meetings for formerly imprisoned women. Testify at public hearings to win humane policy. Meet with corrections officials to make visits better for children. These are a few things that CLAIM staff and volunteers do to bring justice to incarcerated mothers and their children. You can help us make a difference. Please be as generous as possible.
Current Size: 100%
- Approximately 80% of the 16,239 women in Chicago’s Cook County Jail in 2004 were mothers.
- About 80% of women detained at Cook County Jail are charged with non-violent crimes.
Because children need their mothers.