The following letter is from the mother of a former program participant at Volunteers of America Regional Correctional Center following the birth of her grandson, which occurred unexpectedly at the facility.

“I would like to share with you, and your staff [at the Regional Correctional Center], how much I appreciate your responsiveness to a very challenging and potentially life-threatening situation: the unexpected breach birth of my grandson.

When I arrived just 15-minutes after receiving ‘Nancy’s’ call, the [Regional Correctional Center] supervisor immediately expressed concern that I would not have time to get ‘Nancy’ to the hospital.  She suggested that we call 911 immediately.  I appreciate her instinct because there was not a moment to be wasted.

There was another [Regional Correctional Center] staff member that made the call to 911 and we began to prepare ‘Nancy’ for the birth.  That same staff member remained calm as she prepared for the possibility that the paramedics may not get there by the time the baby came.  The entire staff was compassionate and amazingly responsive.  The paramedics showed up without a minute to spare with my grandson’s first foot already emerging.

It was about 1:05 p.m. when I arrived to pick up ‘Nancy’ and it was about 1:25 p.m. when ‘Patrick’ was born.  Every moment counted.  Breach births are highly risky.  I believe that if not for the instincts and responsiveness of your staff, I might have lost my grandson.

What happened last Saturday was truly an emergency situation and it’s nice to know that, in spite of the adverse circumstances, ‘Nancy’ was in good hands.  I give my deepest appreciation to everyone [at the Regional Correctional Center] for what they did for us that day.”