Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Corrections
 
Board
State Board of Local and Regional Jails
 
chapter
Minimum Standards for Jails and Lockups [6 VAC 15 ‑ 40]
Action Amend Minimum Standards for Jails and Lockups to add requirements on restraint of pregnant offenders
Stage NOIRA
Comment Period Ended on 2/29/2012
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2/29/12  2:44 pm
Commenter: Joan Mahal, Citizen

Shackling pregnant inmates
 

This is a terrible practice and not only dehumanizes the mother but those responsile for carrying out this act. 

The adoption of limitations does not present a threat to safety: states which have restricted the use of restraints on pregnant inmates have no documented instances of women in labor or delivery causing harm to themselves, correctional staff or medical staff. 

State-run correctional facilities have already enacted limitations on this practice; local and regional facilities should do the same.

CommentID: 23380