Dear Representatives:

The issue of women being shackled in prisons and jails in VA. during childbirth and recuperation is truly one which needs immediate attention. This is not going to impact our budgets and can be one of the several humanitarian issues which legislators can be proud to endorse & share with their constituents as a positive effort during their term of service. Several states have reviewed the data concerning this issue and no longer allow this "cruel and unusual punishment". There are no paid lobbying groups to speak for these women, thus the issue has been ignored up to this time.

I have attended many meetings in 2011 with legislators and the Dept. of Corrections discussing this issue and the final consensus of all of these gatherings is to eliminate the practice in formal legislation. Del. Patrick Hope has championed this cause in Virginia during 2011 and is in possession of all the collected information concerning the movement to make certain that Virginia is included in the states which prohibit this practice. Medical , social, and humanitarian reasons join forces in supporting the elimination of this practice permanently.

Sincerely,

Mary Ellen D'Agostino

7417 First Landing Ct.

Henrico, Virginia 23231