Pregnant Women in Custody Act of 2018 will create a national standard for care of pregnant women in all federal prisons and require Dept. of Justice to collect data on mental and physical health of pregnant women in custody
East County News Service
September 13, 2018 (Washington D..C.) - Today, Representatives Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Mia Love (R-Utah) and Catherine Clark (D-Mass.) led the majority of women in both the Democratic and Republican House Caucuses in introducing legislation to provide a national standard of care to address pregnancy-related needs of incarcerated women during pregnancy, labor, delivery and post-partum periods. San Diego Congresswoman Susan Davis is among the cosponsors.
Most states still allow shackling of women prisoners during labor, to cite the worst of the abuses. Eighteen states, including California, have banned the practice, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
“I’m joined by the majority of women serving in Congress today on both sides of the aisle in introducing this bill to make sure that we are mindful and responsible for thehealth and wellness of pregnant women in prison,” said Rep. Bass. “That means an appropriate diet, it means access to appropriate medical assistance, and it certainlymeans stopping the shackling of pregnant inmates. I hope that we can move this conversation forward in a bipartisan manner and look forward to participating in the continuing conversation about ways to reform our criminal justice system.”
“As a mother of three children and strong supporter of criminal justice reform, I am proud to partner with my friend Rep. Bass to introduce a bill that addresses the unique needs of incarcerated women and their children.” Rep. Love said. “Our legislation will help prevent injury, enhance well-being, and establish much-needed standards of care. It reflects the belief that we can uphold the law while also supporting humanity. I am grateful for the strong bipartisan support we’ve received from so many respected Members, and look forward to advancing this important measure.”
“Restraining pregnant inmates with shackles is dangerous and barbaric,” said Rep. Clark. “The vast majority of incarcerated women are non-violent, and restraining inmates during pregnancy poses an unnecessary risk to women and their babies. Neither inmates nor society are served by a criminal justice system that prioritizes cruel and inhumane punishment over rehabilitation and healthy families. Congress should follow the lead of the medical community, experts, and advocates who are united in their push to eliminate this dangerous practice.”
"The process of labor and childbirth can already be scary for many women,” said Nicole Bennett, who gave birth while shackled in April 2012. “But to have to go through it while shackled and handcuffed makes it even more terrifying and is detrimental to both mom and baby. Babies feel everything: the more stressed we are, the more stressed the baby is. Incarcerated women have made mistakes, but no woman, no matter what she's done, should have to endure childbirth while shackled, and neither should her child."
At the time she gave birth, Nicole was serving 18 months of a three-year sentence for forgery, fraud and larceny at Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood, CA.
The number of incarcerated women and girls has grown by more than 800% over the past 30 years, making clear the need for justice systems that respond to the needs of women and girls. As the rate of incarceration for pregnant women grows, there continues to be a disconnect between the larger criminal justice discussion and the importance of safety, adequate services, and supports to address women’s needs.
“When I was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison I was six weeks pregnant at the time of my arrest,” said Pamela Winn, Founder of RESTORE HER. “When I was released, I came home without my baby. I had miscarried. I tripped while shackled and did not receive medical care. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about the life that could have been. A twist of fate did not take my child. A blatant disregard for my humanity stole the life that was growing inside of me. I am especially pleased to see data collection included in this bill - it is scary and appalling to me that we do not know how many other women experienced what I did or were even exposed to the risk. We must do all that we can to make sure tragedies like mine do not happen again. The Pregnant Women in Custody Act would restrict shackling of pregnant women and go to great lengths to ensure safety and humane care of incarcerated women and protect their babies.”
“It is essential to ensure that women who are incarcerated still receive equal treatment and adequate care,” said Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (D-Mich.), Vice Chair of the Democratic Women's Working Group. “The lives of women, regardless of where they are; matter, and they are still deserving of respect. I am proud to co-sponsor this bill introduced by my colleague Karen Bass that will make sure women have the prenatal and post-delivery care they need, ban practices like restraints and restrictive housing that harm pregnant women, and train correctional staff to understand women’s needs, so that all women can have safe and healthy pregnancies. Depriving women from these basic rights is simply unacceptable, and we must do all we can to ensure their protection.”
“I am pleased to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan legislation to protect the health of mothers and their children,” said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-New York). “We must update our justice system to ensure that proper consideration and care are given to address women’s needs and the needs of their children. This commonsense bill will help us better understand the health needs of incarcerated mothers and establish minimum standards of care for pregnant and postpartum women. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.”
Specifically, the Pregnant Women In Custody Act will do the following:
Data collection on pregnant inmates
Addressing the pregnancy and childbirth-related needs of incarcerated women
Training and technical assistance
State incentives to prohibit unnecessary restraints and provide services and programs for pregnant and postpartum inmates
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