Nestled among a vast stretch of dormant cotton fields and streets dotted with cozy homes and palm trees, Goodyear Ariz., rests on the western edge of Phoenix. The nearby White Tank Mountains, crisp blue skies, and the almost always shining sun offer a scenic backdrop. What sets Goodyear apart from the average American bedroom community is the presence of the Perryville State Prison, a sprawling structure home to nearly 3,000 inmates, most of whom are women. Only 300 are men.

Since 1980 the number of women in prison has doubled. Most women serve time because of drug offenses. At least 37 percent led lives strangled by poverty. More than half reported physical or sexual abuse in their background. About 25 percent are mentally ill. Nearly all have children. If family members cannot care for the children, the overburdened foster care system absorbs them.

Rehabilitation programming among correctional institutions varies but a unique approach for strengthening the bond between incarcerated women and their daughters is found within the Arizona Department of Corrections. Girl Scouts Beyond Bars, originally launched in 1992 by the National Institute of Justice and the Girl Scouts, now has regular meetings in prisons in at least 23 states across the United States, including Arizona.

Girl Scouts Beyond Bars first came to the Arizona Department of Corrections in 2002 says Ellen Kirschbaum, administrator for women's services. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Department took the lead by implementing it first in 1995.

"The program has tremendous value for women and their children," Kirschbaum says. "It helps build character, leadership and affects positive change in young girls."

From her lengthy tenure as an administrator in the correctional system, Kirschbaum said there is an intergenerational cycle between prisoners and their children. Research backs her up. A study conducted by the Pacific Oaks Center for Children of Incarcerated Parents found that the average female inmate comes from a home in which other family members were incarcerated.

"Girl Scouts Beyond Bars is an effort to snap that intergenerational cycle," says Kirschbaum, "by helping moms become better parents and re-establishing a positive connection between mother and daughter."

As noted, most women in prison are single mothers. Removal of the primary caretaker frequently disrupts the family structure and adds significant mental stress to the children, according to the Women in Prison Project of the Correctional Association of New York. Children are likely to become depressed, do poorly in school or engage in delinquent behavior. It also puts them at risk of entering foster care. Not surprisingly, some become involved in gangs or use drugs.

That's where Girl Scouts Beyond Bars steps in. Through regular meetings in prison, Girl Scout leaders attempt to crack the familiar cycle of family dysfunction and usher in change for a more promising future.

Every other Saturday morning, five to six staff members of the Cactus-Pine Girl Scout Council hop in their cars and drive across a large swath of Maricopa County, fourth largest in the nation, to pick up at least 30 girls for the trip to Goodyear.

"A lot of girls live with their grandparents or other family members who have transportation issues," says Cactus-Pine employee Stephanie Noriega who along with co-workers regularly attends Girl Scouts Beyond Bars meetings.

"I love the program and how its perked up their lives," Noriega said. "The girls look forward to it and so do the moms. We see how it gives encouragement to both mothers and daughters. That's so important to us."

Inmate Melissa White, 29, serving time for fraud, assists the program from inside. Although White's 3½-year-old daughter lives with her mother in Delaware, she volunteered for this leadership position anyway.

"As a mother and inmate, I recognize how valuable this program is," says White. "GSBB is a wonderful opportunity for us. It gives mothers a unique chance to bond with our daughters. Being apart from them for so long leaves a big hole in our hearts."

"If not for the Girl Scouts, many women in prison might not see their daughters," says Noriega. Maricopa County lacks an extensive public transportation system. Goodyear is largely inaccessible from many parts of the county.

A Department of Justice report about incarcerated parents and their children issued by CJ Mumola in 2000 supports Noriega. The report noted that 54 percent of mothers in state prisons, such as Perryville, never had visits from their children.

Fertish Rogers, 29, was jailed for a probation violation. Cuddled in her lap was her 7-year-old daughter, Radedra.

"I miss my Mommy," Radedra said, as she embraced Rogers. When asked what she liked about the program, the little girl in neat braids held together with colorful clips, said, "Art stuff and doing it with my mommy. I miss her being around."

Rogers relished quality time with her daughter and how the program offered them a positive, enriching atmosphere, not always found in prison. For her children's sake, Rogers hoped to turn her life around upon release.

"I owe it to them and to my mother, who's been looking after my kids," Rogers said. "This program means a lot to me and my daughter. I hope to do better."

Inmate Tina Schuh, 41, incarcerated for forgery, also praised Girl Scouts Beyond Bars for the tender moments it afforded her and her 5-year-old daughter Dinita together. Clinging to Schuh was a shy and pensive little girl, who never let go of mom's hand.

"I appreciate the volunteers who make this happen," Schuh said as she caressed Dinita. "The program is fun, educational and it allows me to spend time with my child." Upon her pending release later in the year, Schuh plans to become involved in Girl Scouts Beyond Bars. "Maybe I can return the favor."

To collect cash for the program, which pays for supplies and transportation, group leader White prods other inmates and prison employees to buy Girl Scout cookies, which are sold at the prison.

"I do this to keep busy and for a sense of fulfillment," White says. "And it's a way to give back for the mistakes I've made."

Girl Scouts Beyond Bars has carved out a special role at Perryville. Deputy Warden Joanne Smith, wishes it could be expanded to the Boy Scouts so men and boys would share the same rewarding experiences. "Maybe someday that'll happen," she says.

Smith supports Girl Scouts Beyond Bars and other educational programs to steer women on the path to self-sufficiency once they are released.

"GSBB builds relationships broken by mistakes," Smith said. "Children understand that mom loves them yet they end up paying for mom's mistakes."

On alternate Saturdays, girls attend Girl Scout troop meetings in the community and inmates attend parenting classes.

Girl Scouts Beyond Bars takes an alternate path in other locations. According to Dr. Darlene Grant, associate professor of social work and dean of graduate studies at the School of Social Work at the University of Texas in Austin, "We have a therapeutic component to our program, in addition to the recreational aspect."

Known as the Enterprising Girl Scouts Beyond Bars, they partner with the YWCA and the Crime Prevention Institute for a comprehensive program. Trained social workers provide girls with bi-monthly individual and group therapy to hash out their issues. In addition, social workers visit the Gatesville prison so women can work on their psycho-social problems. The Crime Prevention Institute offers valuable services once women are released, such as job counseling, clothing and shelter. And of course the Girl Scouts gather at the prison once a month for arts and crafts meetings.

"The therapeutic aspect of the program offers mothers and daughters the chance to improve communication and improve their self-esteem," says Grant. "In the long run, mother and daughter reap the benefits of a healthy relationship. And so does society."

Despite its difference from the Arizona program, the end result of the Texas Girl Scouts Beyond Bars is still the same - to keep girls and incarcerated mothers connected. Grant says that the more girls are involved, the higher their self-esteem.

"And the less likely they are to get into trouble," she said. Once released, mothers who develop constructive behavior patterns will probably not return to prison. And children naturally reap the rewards of a loving mother.

The million dollar question is: Does Girl Scouts Beyond Bars really work? Research data is scarce but regardless of the absence of follow up studies, correctional officials, Girl Scout leaders, social workers, judges, inmates and their daughters all praise the program for its uncomplicated approach. Girls learn about choices, opportunities and consequences. The program is one more step in the healing process for girls and mothers whose lives have been shattered by imprisonment. Experts predict that Girl Scouts Beyond Bars will continue to thrive. According to White, the inmate from Perryville, "That's certainly good news." a

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Debra J. White, MSW, earned a degree from New York University in 1988. She was a social worker until her career was cut short by a pedestrian-car accident in 1994. She keeps busy volunteering with homeless children through Gabriel's Angels. She also wrote a book called "Nobody's Pets" about humane education. She currently lives in Phoenix, Ariz.