Should daughter Leah be visiting ‘Teen Mom’ Amber Portwood in prison?

Gary Shirley and Leah in an episode of 'Teen Mom' with Amber Portwood

Amber Portwood has been behind bars for four months now and has yet to see her three-year-old daughter Leah. However, all that is about to change as Gary Shirley has finally come to the decision that Leah having regular visits with her Teen Mom star mother is the best thing for both her and Amber.

“Just to clear up confusion I had to find out for my daughter, Amber, and myself if it was best for Leah to go where her mommy is and visit,” Gary wrote on Facebook. “I learned that it is the best thing for Leah and Amber.” While he and Amber used to fight at the drop of a hate, they have been getting along better now that she’s sober and incarcerated.

He added, “All the paperwork is finally in order so yes soon we will be visiting her. She’s doing a lot better a lot of stuff has be cleared between us things have settled down… things are heading in the right direction. Thanks for support and in [NO WAY] was me not taking her to see her mom a control thing.”

'Teen Mom' daughter Leah Shirley hits the road

Just a few weeks ago, Gary had told In Touch Weekly that he hadn’t even told Leah where her mommy was yet. “When I tried to tell her, ‘Mommy’s in trouble,’ she got upset. So, I’ve said, ‘Mommy’s at work,’ or ‘Mommy’s on vacation.'”

He also had yet to complete the paperwork necessary in order for Leah to visit which is something that Amber was getting a bit irritated with. “I try to give him excuses,” she said. “In my head I say, ‘Maybe he just can’t handle it’ or ‘Maybe he doesn’t want Leah to cry.'”

Regardless of why it took so long, Amber, who is reportedly writing a book behind bars, will soon be reunited with her daughter, but it’s a little hard to get on board with it all. Should Leah really be exposed to prison at such a young age? Sure, she needs her mother in her life, but is that worth the damaging effects that regular trips to jail could bring?

What do you think? Should Gary Shirley take Leah to visit Amber Portwood in prison?