Mercy of prison: Pororo cartoon character wallpaper for imprisoned moms, babies

A prison cell decorated with the Pororo wallpaper has a baby walker and baby seat at the ready. Courtesy of Seoul East Regional Correctional Headquarters

By Jung Hae-myoung

A young mom jailed for online fraud is lucky to be able to keep her baby with her while she serves her sentence, thanks to facilities at the Seoul East Regional Correctional Headquarters (SERCH).

SERCH, in Songpa, southern Seoul, has a place where they can live together ― a “cell” decorated with Pororo cartoon character wallpaper. It also provides baby toys and seats.

The woman, 22, considered giving her baby up for adoption before finding a way to keep her beloved little one. The baby can stay with its mom until it is 18 months old.

Another inmate will be separated from her child when it is 18 months old next year.