Heartbreaking Stories from Cheongju Women's Prison: Children Raised Behind Bars

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On the recent episode of tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block', correctional officers from Cheongju Women's Prison shared the poignant reality of children living within the prison walls.

The 303rd episode, aired on the 23rd, featured officers Kim Hye-jung and Do Yoo-jin from Cheongju Women's Prison, the first facility in South Korea to focus on housing female violent offenders. The prison currently holds around 800 inmates, including notorious criminals like Jeon Cheong-jo, Go Yoo-jung, and Eom Ye-in, who have sparked public outrage.

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Officer Kim Hye-jung explained that if there is no one outside to care for the children, they can be raised in the prison until they are 18 months old. She expressed her sympathy, saying, "The environment is harsh. It's often heartbreaking to see the babies, who are innocent, in such conditions."

Kim also shared, "Sometimes, the children cling to the bars, wanting to come out. Some mothers cry when their children leave, while others seem indifferent."

Officer Do Yoo-jin recounted an incident during exercise time, saying, "A mother cried out loud after sending her baby away. We rushed over, thinking something had happened."

Reported by Na-yeon Cho, TenAsia. nybluebook@tenasia.co.kr