Correction officer's kind act for inmate's baby got her fired but she has no regrets: 'God wanted me to...'

Every year, there are 58,000 pregnant women entering prison, according to the Prison Policy Initiative. The report exposes the inadequacy of prisons in providing a safe space for these women during pregnancy, giving birth, and postpartum, all while being incarcerated. This was made clearer when a correction officer in the Louisiana Transitional Centre for Women was terminated for wanting to help an inmate’s baby.  On May 16, 2023, Roberta Bell, 60, was terminated on the spot when she decided to take care of Katie Bourgeois’s baby while she was serving time for taking drugs during her parole. The story goes back to the beginning of May, when Bourgeois, 32, was pregnant with only a few days left before the delivery date. Panicked about her situation, she talked with fellow women at her facility, and several of them mentioned that there was a correction officer, Bell, who was kind and could help her.

With the help of a friend, news reached Bell, and she offered help at the spot. Bell is known for raising five of her eight grandchildren and has an unending affection towards babies. She asked Bourgeois if she’d like her to come and get her baby when it was time. “Miss Bell, I’d love for you to take my baby, because I don’t have anyone else to do it," Bourgeois responded.

As per the rules of the Louisiana Transition Centre for Women — a privately run educational spot for women — officers are not allowed to divulge their private information to the prisoners. Taking care of the baby meant that Bell had to share her house details with Bourgeois, which risked her job. However, given her eight years of experience and the fact that Bourgeois would be released in two months, Bell thought that if only she could convince her supervisor, this could be managed.

“I knew that God wanted me to follow my heart, and I knew I couldn’t allow a baby to go to protective services when Katie really wanted that child,” she said. Bell went on and discussed the problem at hand with the supervisor, who stated that it was a conflict of interest. “[My supervisor] said it sounded like a conflict of interest because I worked there, but that he’d talk to some people in charge,” she shared. When the baby was delivered, she was called into a meeting with the administrators, who said, "We’ve learned that your contact information was given to an inmate, which was against the rules.” They further asked if she was still going to go through with caring for the baby. "I told him that if the hospital called me, I would go and get that child.”

Just like a woman of her word, she left her job and took care of the baby, Kayson. And in what may seem like a karmic connection, Bells’ grandson is also named Kayson. She grew a connection with the baby, feeding him every 2-4 hours, loading up on diapers, taking pictures with him, and ultimately loving him. The step taken by Bell may seem like it's stemming from affection; however, a report from wwno.org stated that conditions of jails in Louisiana are faltering and in no shape to take care of pregnant women. Bell's actions were a kindness rendered to an unborn soul, undeserving of perishing in the harsh prison conditions. “He’s a good little boy who doesn’t cry much,” said Bell. Upon Bourgeois' release on July 4, 2023, it was time to let go of the baby. Kayson and Katie spent a few months with Bell at her house until Bourgeois found a place.

"To see his little face and his smile — it was just a joy,” she said. “And now, to watch Katie with him and see all of that love and the promise of a new beginning has made it all worthwhile,” Bell added. In an interview with CBS News,  she mentioned she currently runs a 'serenity house' to help women get back their lives. “I loved my job back at prison because it allowed me to speak with women who have seen many rough patches in their lives.” When the prison punished Bell for her kind act, the public rewarded her with donations of 90000 dollars, which is now being used to run Serenity House.

"The prison lost a great guard. This woman is an angel. It should not have cost her job to help care of a child. Kids raised in loving homes help prevent criminals in the future but whatever. I'm glad that baby has so much love. I hope that mom and baby are in this woman's life forever, and I hope mom can turn her life around and raise her baby," shared @whit9987. "What an absolute angel Ms. Bell is! Women’s prisons need people like her, it could honestly save so many lives and families! What a mistake that prison made! God bless you beautiful Ms. Bell and the mother and that blessing of a baby! Ms. Bell is an inspiration for the world," said @Italianqueen.

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