As an active citizen of the state of Virginia and a person of faith, I am opposed to the regulation that women inmates must be shackled during labor and delivery. I have considered the following facts:

a. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Medical Association oppose the practice of shackling inmates due to the health risks it poses to the life of the mother and her child.

b. 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.

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

I am asking you to reconsider the regulation for the safety of woman and her baby, for the non-threat to the safety of staff, and for the reported experiences of state-fun correctional facilities. All three of these issues are positive factors that lead me to the conclusion that the shackling of women inmates during labor and delivery is absolutely not necessary. Also, you would be preserving the sacredness of the birth experience which I wholeheartedly support.

Thank you for your consideration.

Theresa Kashin