The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia strongly supports the regulations that will create uniform rules governing the use of restraints on pregnant inmates. Currently, the policies on the use of restraints on pregnant inmates vary across locality, and some jails have no policy at all.  These regulations are needed to better protect the health, safety, and dignity of female prisoners and their babies during labor delivery, and post-partum recovery. 

We applaud the Board of Corrections for adopting these regulations.   Once these regulations are in effect, we urge personnel at local and regional jails not to undermine their intent by considering every inmate a “flight risk” just because they are an inmate.  We also urge local and regional jails to ensure that every “individualized determination” is based solely on the specific facts relating to the individual under consideration and that these facilities annually report any use of restraints under these circumstances.   

We commend the Board of Corrections, the Department of Corrections, and the McDonnell and McAuliffe administrations for supporting these regulations.  Until these regulations go into effect, pregnant inmates and newborns will face unnecessary and dangerous health risks and degrading treatment.  Furthermore, victims, advocates, journalists, and lawmakers will lack a mechanism to better ensure that female prisoners and newborns are not unnecessarily subjected to this treatment.

I commend the Board of Corrections and the McDonnell and McAuliffe administrations for supporting these regulations.  I also thank the Board for implementing a compassionate and commonsense policy. Once the regulations are in effect, I urge personnel at local and regional jails not to undermine their intent by considering every inmate a “flight risk” just because they are an inmate.  Local and regional jail officials also should ensure that every “individualized determination” that a particular pregnant prisoner is a “risk” is based solely on the specific facts relating to the individual under consideration and that these facilities annually report any use of restraints on pregnant women. .

Thank you for proposing commonsense and humane regulations for pregnant inmates. These are still subject to abuse given that there is some degree of officer discretion (though with oversight) on what constitutes a "flight risk."  The training of officers in the implementation of these guidelines may impact their assessment of risk.

In my experience representing inmates, very few attempt flight, and those I am aware of have been mainly male inmates. Certainly it is hardly likely that female inmates in labor would attempt flight, or get very far if they did.

Having worked as a chaplain in hospitals and with incarcerated populations, it seems only reasonable and just that the application of restraints be applied in a uniform and limited manner. I invite anyone who is part of the decision-making process on this regulation, to put themselves in the place of a woman who is both incarcerated and going through A pregnancy and birthing process. We can only imagine the discomfort and pain involved. I asked that consideration be made with both reason and compassion. Thank you.  Incidentally, my godson was born while his mother was incarcerated.

I support the regulation limiting the use of restraints on pregnant women during labor and delivery.

Restraining a pregnant woman during labor, delivery, and post-partum can pose particular undue health risks to the woman and newborn.

Please use the brain that God gave you and stop this unnecessary use of restraints!

Corrections officers and medical personnel can be adequately protected without shackling women who are pregnant or in labor. Thank you for ending this practice that is a threat to women's health and to an innocent life.

I support the proposed regulations to curtail use of restraints on pregnant women inmates before, during, and after delivery, to minimize harm to mother and child, including postpartum bonding.  The proposed regulatory text seems like a minimum level of care that should apply in use of restraints on such inmates.  I am glad that the Attorney General, Board, and Governor have agreed. 

The vast majority of female prisoners are non-violent offenders who pose a low security risk—particularly during labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery.  In the states that have outlawed the restraint of pregnant inmates, there have been no documented instances of a woman in labor or delivery escaping or causing harm to themselves, guards, or medical staff.  Local jails throughout the Commonwealth should immediately implement a policy of no-restraint of pregnant inmates.  Thank you.

Women who are pregnant should be accorded the best care and the most careful consideration as they are pregnant, laboring, delivering, and caring for their babies.  I am glad the customary restraints will no longer be used for pregnant women who are not at risk of flight.

The use of restraints on women in labor, delivery, or post-partum is completely unacceptable and inhumane.  

   I commend the Board of Corrections and the McDonnell and McAuliffe administrations for supporting these regulations.  I also thank the Board for implementing a compassionate and commonsense policy. Once the regulations are in effect, I urge personnel at local and regional jails not to undermine their intent by considering every inmate a “flight risk” just because they are an inmate.  Local and regional jail officials also should ensure that every “individualized determination” that a particular pregnant inmate is a “risk” is based solely on the specific facts relating to the individual under consideration and that these facilities annually report any use of restraints on pregnant women.

-          Restraining a pregnant woman during labor, delivery, and postpartum can pose particular undue health risks to the woman and newborn.

-          Restraining pregnant women is dangerous and inhumane.

-          The vast majority of female inmates are non-violent offenders who pose a low security risk—particularly during labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery.  In the states that have outlawed the restraint of pregnant inmates, there have been no documented instances of a woman in labor or delivery escaping or causing harm to themselves, guards, or medical staff.

-       National correctional and medical associations oppose the restraint of pregnant women because it is unnecessary and harmful to a woman and to her fetus or newborn. The Federal Bureau of Prisons, the U.S. Marshals Service, the American Correctional Association, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Medical Association, and the American Public Health Association have recognized that restraining women during labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery is unnecessary and dangerous to a woman’s health and well-being and may harm the baby being delivered.

  I commend the Board of Corrections and the McDonnell and McAuliffe administrations for supporting these regulations.  I also thank the Board for implementing a compassionate and commonsense policy. Once the regulations are in effect, I urge personnel at local and regional jails not to undermine their intent by considering every inmate a “flight risk” just because they are an inmate.  Local and regional jail officials also should ensure that every “individualized determination” that a particular pregnant inmate is a “risk” is based solely on the specific facts relating to the individual under consideration and that these facilities annually report any use of restraints on pregnant women.

-          Restraining a pregnant woman during labor, delivery, and postpartum can pose particular undue health risks to the woman and newborn.

-          Restraining pregnant women is dangerous and inhumane.

-          The vast majority of female inmates are non-violent offenders who pose a low security risk—particularly during labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery.  In the states that have outlawed the restraint of pregnant inmates, there have been no documented instances of a woman in labor or delivery escaping or causing harm to themselves, guards, or medical staff.

-       National correctional and medical associations oppose the restraint of pregnant women because it is unnecessary and harmful to a woman and to her fetus or newborn. The Federal Bureau of Prisons, the U.S. Marshals Service, the American Correctional Association, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Medical Association, and the American Public Health Association have recognized that restraining women during labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery is unnecessary and dangerous to a woman’s health and well-being and may harm the baby being delivered.

-          I commend the Board of Corrections and the McDonnell and McAuliffe administrations for supporting these regulations.  I also thank the Board for implementing a compassionate and commonsense policy. Once the regulations are in effect, I urge personnel at local and regional jails not to undermine their intent by considering every inmate a “flight risk” just because they are an inmate.  Local and regional jail officials also should ensure that every “individualized determination” that a particular pregnant inmate is a “risk” is based solely on the specific facts relating to the individual under consideration and that these facilities annually report any use of restraints on pregnant women.

-          Restraining a pregnant woman during labor, delivery, and postpartum can pose particular undue health risks to the woman and newborn.

-          Restraining pregnant women is dangerous and inhumane.

-          The vast majority of female inmates are non-violent offenders who pose a low security risk—particularly during labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery.  In the states that have outlawed the restraint of pregnant inmates, there have been no documented instances of a woman in labor or delivery escaping or causing harm to themselves, guards, or medical staff.

-       National correctional and medical associations oppose the restraint of pregnant women because it is unnecessary and harmful to a woman and to her fetus or newborn. The Federal Bureau of Prisons, the U.S. Marshals Service, the American Correctional Association, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Medical Association, and the American Public Health Association have recognized that restraining women during labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery is unnecessary and dangerous to a woman’s health and well-being and may harm the baby being delivered.

Type over this text and enter your comments here. You are limited to approximatelyI commend the Board of Corrections and the McDonnell and McAuliffe administrations for supporting these regulations.  I also thank the Board for implementing a compassionate and commonsense policy. Once the regulations are in effect, I urge personnel at local and regional jails not to undermine their intent by considering every inmate a “flight risk” just because they are an inmate.  Local and regional jail officials also should ensure that every “individualized determination” that a particular pregnant inmate is a “risk” is based solely on the specific facts relating to the individual under consideration and that these facilities annually report any use of restraints on pregnant women.

* Restraining pregnant women is dangerous and inhumane.

* Restraining a pregnant woman during labor, delivery, and postpartum can pose particular undue health risks to the woman and newborn.

* The vast majority of female inmates are non-violent offenders who pose a low security risk—particularly during labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery.  In the states that have outlawed the restraint of pregnant inmates, there have been no documented instances of a woman in labor or delivery escaping or causing harm to themselves, guards, or medical staff.

* National correctional and medical associations oppose the restraint of pregnant women because it is unnecessary and harmful to a woman and to her fetus or newborn. The Federal Bureau of Prisons, the U.S. Marshals Service, the American Correctional Association, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Medical Association, and the American Public Health Association have recognized that restraining women during labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery is unnecessary and dangerous to a woman’s health and well-being and may harm the baby being delivered.

Compassion is foremost in every locality's place of incarceration to assist in a healthy delivery for mother and child. The use of restraints in childbirth must never be routine in any location without legitimate medical necessity, which is unimaginable.

Restraints on women prisoners during chuldbirth is cruel & unusual punishment. 

Restraining pregnant women is dangerous and inhumane.        

Restraining pregnant women during labor, delivery and post-partum bonding can pose particular risks to the mother and the newborn.

I commend the Board of Corrections and the McDonnell and McAuliffe administrations for supporting these regulations.  I also thank the Board for implementing a compassionate and commonsense policy.

Thank you.

Several thoughts -- one is that this is finally happening, and that is fantastic.

Another is the irony that the Commonwealth has been so intent on protecting a fetus --- and then turns its head when there is every possibility of this happening during the BIRTH!! Only in America!

The reporting component HAS to be included, absolutely, and to tell you the truth - more than annually. Every six months -- indicate when restraints were thought to be necessary and most importantly, WHY!! Then whoever receives this report must respond, indicating concurrence or suggesting how it could have been done differently, or more appropriately. And this should be public information, except for the name of the prisoner.

I commend the Board of Corrections and the McDonnell and McAuliffe administrations for supporting these regulations. I also thank the Board for implementing a compassionate and commonsense policy. Once the regulations are in effect, I urge personnel at local and regional jails not to undermine their intent by considering every inmate a “flight risk” just because they are an inmate. Local and regional jail officials also should ensure that every “individualized determination” that a particular pregnant inmate is a “risk” is based solely on the specific facts relating to the individual under consideration and that these facilities annually report any use of restraints on pregnant women.

Restraining a pregnant woman during labor, delivery, and postpartum can pose particular undue health risks to the woman and newborn.  Restraining pregnant women is dangerous and inhumane.

The vast majority of female inmates are non-violent offenders who pose a low security risk—particularly during labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery. In the states that have outlawed the restraint of pregnant inmates, there have been no documented instances of a woman in labor or delivery escaping or causing harm to themselves, guards, or medical staff.

National correctional and medical associations oppose the restraint of pregnant women because it is unnecessary and harmful to a woman and to her fetus or newborn. The Federal Bureau of Prisons, the U.S. Marshals Service, the American Correctional Association, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Medical Association, and the American Public Health Association have recognized that restraining women during labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery is unnecessary and dangerous to a woman’s health and well-being and may harm the baby being delivered.

I strongly support these regulations that will create uniform rules governing the use of restraints. Currently, the policies on the use of restraints on pregnant inmates vary across locality, and some jails have no policy at all. These regulations are needed to better protect the health, safety, and dignity of female inmates throughout their pregnancies.  Thank you for your attention.

Having worked for several years as an RN in labor and delivery, it is appalling to me that restraints would even be considered. Thus, I commend the Board of Corrections and the McDonnell and McAuliffe administrations for supporting these regulations.  I also thank the Board for implementing a compassionate and commonsense policy. Once the regulations are in effect, I urge personnel at local and regional jails not to undermine their intent by considering every inmate a “flight risk” just because they are an inmate.  Local and regional jail officials also should ensure that every “individualized determination” that a particular pregnant inmate is a “risk” is based solely on the specific facts relating to the individual under consideration and that these facilities annually report any use of restraints on pregnant women.

It is especially important that jail officials make very careful individualized determinations regarding the risk of each pregnant inmate -- the facts must be very specific. Also important is the requirement for reporting the use of restraints -- more frequently than annually is in order. Why not within 48 hours of any use?

Please support these commonsense permanent regulations to ensure the safety of mothers and their children. These regulations ensure that a consistent policy will be applied by corrections facilities across the Commonwealth.  Restraining pregnant women is a dangerous practice that can result in injury to the mother and trauma to her child. The American Medical Association, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Public Health Association all support limiting the use of restraints for pregnant inmates. I commend the Board for proposing regulations limiting the use of restraints and urge it to make these regulations final

Please support these commonsense permanent regulations to ensure the safety of mothers and their children. These regulations ensure that a consistent policy will be applied by corrections facilities across the Commonwealth.  Restraining pregnant women is a dangerous practice that can result in injury to the mother and trauma to her child. The American Medical Association, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Public Health Association all support limiting the use of restraints for pregnant inmates. I commend the Board for proposing regulations limiting the use of restraints and urge it to make these regulations final.

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 views.

Please support these commonsense permanent regulations to ensure the safety of mothers and their children. These regulations ensure that a consistent policy will be applied by corrections facilities across the Commonwealth.  Restraining pregnant women is a dangerous practice that can result in injury to the mother and trauma to her child. The American Medical Association, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Public Health Association all support limiting the use of restraints for pregnant inmates. I commend the Board for proposing regulations limiting the use of restraints and urge it to make these regulations final.
 
Optional Points:

• 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.

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!

Please put into effect the policy of fully restaining inmates during child  birth the birth experiance in tramatic enough for the baby. And hopefully the mother will see her baby differently if the birth experiance is less tramatic for her..

Please pass legislation to stop the restraining of mothers in labor during delivery and after for the health of both the mother and child.  Thank you

Please pass legislation to stop the restraining of mothers in labor during delivery and after for the health of both the mother and child.  Thank you

I strongly support limiting the use of certain physical restraints on female inmates before and during labor and immediately after childbirth.

Please support these commonsense permanent regulations to ensure the safety of mothers and their children. These regulations ensure that a consistent policy will be applied by corrections facilities across the Commonwealth.  Restraining pregnant women is a dangerous practice that can result in injury to the mother and trauma to her child. The American Medical Association, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Public Health Association all support limiting the use of restraints for pregnant inmates. I commend the Board for proposing regulations limiting the use of restraints and urge it to make these regulations final.

Please note:

• 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. 

Please support these commonsense permanent regulations to ensure the safety of mothers and their children. These regulations ensure that a consistent policy will be applied by corrections facilities across the Commonwealth.  Restraining pregnant women is a dangerous practice that can result in injury to the mother and trauma to her child. The American Medical Association, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Public Health Association all support limiting the use of restraints for pregnant inmates. I commend the Board for proposing regulations limiting the use of restraints and urge it to make these regulations final.

I am writing you today requesting that you please support these commonsense permanent regulations to ensure the safety of mothers and their children. These regulations ensure that a consistent policy will be applied by corrections facilities across the Commonwealth.  Restraining pregnant women is a dangerous practice that can result in injury to the mother and trauma to her child. The American Medical Association, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Public Health Association all support limiting the use of restraints for pregnant inmates. I commend the Board for proposing regulations limiting the use of restraints and urge it to make these regulations final.

Thank you for your compassion. 

I wholeheartedly agree with using the most humane, least restrictive restraints possible for pregrant inmates. Restraining pregnant women before and during labor and delivery is inhumane. Using restraints during labor and delivery restricts a woman's movement and could impact medical care. This substantially increases harm to the child.

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. 

The proposed regulations seem very commonsense and appropriate. I hope they are put into effect.

Please support these commonsense permanent regulations to ensure the safety of mothers and their children. These regulations ensure that a consistent policy will be applied by corrections facilities across the Commonwealth.  Restraining pregnant women is a dangerous practice that can result in injury to the mother and trauma to her child. The American Medical Association, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Public Health Association all support limiting the use of restraints for pregnant inmates. I commend the Board for proposing regulations limiting the use of restraints and urge it to make these regulations final.

• 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 your time and attention.

To whom it may concern:

Please support these commonsense permanent regulations to ensure the safety of mothers and their children. These regulations ensure that a consistent policy will be applied by corrections facilities across the Commonwealth.  Restraining pregnant women is a dangerous practice that can result in injury to the mother and trauma to her child. The American Medical Association, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Public Health Association all support limiting the use of restraints for pregnant inmates. I commend the Board for proposing regulations limiting the use of restraints and urge it to make these regulations final.
 
- 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 your time and attention to this matter.

Regards,

Tim Rosson

Please make permanent the new regulations doing away with the use of restraints on pregnant inmates during labor, delivery and postpartum recovery. Thank you!

I support limiting the use of restraints on pregnant inmates.

The American Medical Association, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Public Health Association all support limiting the use of restraints for pregnant inmates because it can be dangerous to both mother and child. I commend the Board for proposing regulations limiting the use of restraints and urge it to make these regulations final.

Thank you.

I strongly suport this humane gesture.

Subject Line: Protect Pregnant Women and Their Children

 Please support these commonsense permanent regulations to ensure the safety of mothers and their children. These regulations ensure that a consistent policy will be applied by corrections facilities across the Commonwealth.  Restraining pregnant women is a dangerous practice that can result in injury to the mother and trauma to her child. The American Medical Association, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Public Health Association all support limiting the use of restraints for pregnant inmates. I commend the Board for proposing regulations limiting the use of restraints and urge it to make these regulations final.

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.

.

Please support these commonsense permanent regulations to ensure the safety of mothers and their children. These regulations ensure that a consistent policy will be applied by corrections facilities across the Commonwealth.  Restraining pregnant women is a dangerous practice that can result in injury to the mother and trauma to her child. The American Medical Association, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Public Health Association all support limiting the use of restraints for pregnant inmates. I commend the Board for proposing regulations limiting the use of restraints and urge it to make these regulations final.

• 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.

Please support these commonsense permanent regulations to enusure the safety of mothers and their children. 

These regulations ensure that a consistant policy will be applied by corrections facilities across te Commonwealth of Virginia.  Restraining pregnant omen is a dangerous preactice that can result ininjury to the mother and trauma to her child.  The American Medical Association, the American Congress o Obstetricians and Gynecologist, and he American Public Health Association all support limiting theuse of restraints for pregnant women.

Restraining pregnant women before and during labor and delivery is inhumane and increse the risk of accidentally triping, falling and harming the pregnancy.  Also, restricts a woman's movement and could impact medical care and substantially increased harm to the child, as well a hindering medical staff trying to provie care at this time. 

Freedom of movement is essential durng postpartum recovery as well.  Restraints do not allow bonding after delivery, which is essental fo the physical emotional well beng of both mother and child.

I commend the Board for proposing reguations limiting theuse of restraints and urge it to make these regulations final.

Please support these commonsense permanent regulations to ensure the safety of pregnant mothers and their children who are in jail.  Restraining pregnant women is a dangerous practice that can result in injury to the woman and trauma to the child. 

Do the right thing, 

Please support commonsense permanent regulations to ensure the safety of mothers and their children. These regulations ensure that a consistent policy will be applied by corrections facilities across the Commonwealth.  Restraining pregnant women is a dangerous practice that can result in injury to the mother and trauma to her child. The American Medical Association, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Public Health Association all support limiting the use of restraints for pregnant inmates. I commend the Board for proposing regulations limiting the use of restraints and urge it to make these regulations final.

I support these regulations because

• Restraining pregnant women before and during labor and delivery is inhumane.  They 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.

Sincerely,

Patricia Seiler

Fairfax, VA

Please support these commonsense permanent regulations to ensure the safety of mothers and their children. These regulations ensure that a consistent policy will be applied by corrections facilities across the Commonwealth.  Restraining pregnant women is a dangerous practice that can result in injury to the mother and trauma to her child. The American Medical Association, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Public Health Association all support limiting the use of restraints for pregnant inmates. I commend the Board for proposing regulations limiting the use of restraints and urge it to make these regulations final.

Please support these commonsense permanent regulations to ensure the safety of mothers and their children. These regulations ensure that a consistent policy will be applied by corrections facilities across the Commonwealth.  Restraining pregnant women is a dangerous practice that can result in injury to the mother and trauma to her child. The American Medical Association, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Public Health Association all support limiting the use of restraints for pregnant inmates. I commend the Board for proposing regulations limiting the use of restraints and urge it to make these regulations final.