16×9: Should convicted mothers be allowed to keep their babies in prison?

ABOVE: Watch 16×9’s full investigation into the debate around babies behind bars.

Some controversial programs in Canada allow incarcerated mothers to keep their babies with them in prison until the child turns two.

While some say the programs amount to child abuse, others argue that it’s a human right.

Breastfeeding and maternal bonding have health benefits for children and have been shown to improve their physical and emotional development.

WATCH: Howard Sapers is Canada’s correctional investigator. While he thinks keeping mother and child together is the best start, Grant Wilson of the Canadian children’s rights council doesn’t buy it. He says better options are available.

“The default should really be to keep them together and then look at the reasons why that isn’t possible,” said Howard Sapers, Canada’s Correctional Investigator.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The default should really be to keep them together and then look at the reasons why that isn't possible," said Howard Sapers, Canada's Correctional Investigator.

The Decatur Correctional Centre for Women outside Chicago is one of dozens of prisons that has a mother-baby program.

But a warden at Decatur said there are a lot of misconceptions about the programs.

“People think that these infants are behind bars, that they’re living in jail,” said Shelith Hansbro. “We’re far from that.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "People think that these infants are behind bars, that they're living in jail," said Shelith Hansbro. "We're far from that."

Hansbro said mothers live with their children in a special unit called the E-Wing, which is similar to a nursery. The E-Wing has pink walls adorned with murals of cartoons and is filled with rocking chairs and toys. There’s even an outdoor playground.

WATCH: “Babies Behind Bars” producer, Mia Sheldon, talks about programs that allow mothers to keep their babies in prison and who qualifies.

Canada’s federal prisons introduced a mother-baby program back in 1997.

Although Sapers, Canada’s Correctional Investigator, is in support of the programs, Grant Wilson of the Canadian Children’s Right Council said raising a child in jail amounts to abuse.

“They can excuse this as infantile amnesia, that the child won’t remember most of this or all of this, but it’s still unethical,” says Wilson.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "They can excuse this as infantile amnesia, that the child won't remember most of this or all of this, but it's still unethical," says Wilson.

Regardless of what critics may say, some inmates say the program will keep them from coming back to prison once they’ve been released.

“I can’t come back here,” said Maria Gasca, an inmate at the Decatur Correctional Centre for Women.

“I love my kids, so I can’t take the chance of being away from them.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I love my kids, so I can't take the chance of being away from them."

WATCH: This week’s full episode of 16×9.

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