In an effort to wisely facilitate the regulatory process addressing the issue of shackling pregnant women during their labor and their delivery of their children, please permit the Board of Corrections to defend the dignity of the women and the staff on hand surrounding her.   

The female prisoner is already in great pain as she allows her body to bring new life into the prison environment. The practice of "shackling" her during labor is inhumane and has been opposed by the professional community that delivers babies under more normal circumstances.  This inhumane practice presents health risks to those involved in the life giving process as the professionals have said.

To my knowledge, the limitations on this practice have never caused any documented harm to those involved in the birth process in a prison enviroment.  Allowing local and regional facilities to limit this practice of shackling would thus be extemely appropriate in protecting the dignity of life for those persons involved.