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 Final
Comment Period Ended on 5/7/2014
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5/6/14  11:55 am
Commenter: Diana Sims Snider

Protect pregnant women and their infants
 

Please make permanant these commonsense and humane regulations that limit restraints on pregnant female inmates. Numerous medical and public health organizations support this change. It is the right thing to do. Please consider that:

  • Restraining pregnant women before and during labor and delivery is inhumane.  Restraints increase the risk of accidentally tripping and falling and harming the pregnancy.
  • Using restraints during labor and delivery restricts a woman's movement and could impact medical care. This substantially increases harm to the child.
  • Use of restraints on the mother may hinder medical staff trying to provide care during delivery.
  • Freedom of movement is essential during postpartum recovery as well. Restraints do not allow bonding after delivery, which is essential for the physical and emotional wellbeing of both mother and child. 

thank you for considering my perspective!

 

CommentID: 31628