Faith-based and civil rights groups independently gathered many stories from women in the Commonwealth who have been restrained during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or post-partum recovery.  I urge that correctional facilities be required to report on the use of these restraints, including the type of restraints used and the circumstances necessitating their use. 

If there are no compelling security threats, I believe constraining pregnant prisoners during pregnancy and childbirth ignores the sacredness of human life and the inherent God-given dignity of each human being, concepts deeply rooted in my faith tradition.