event

Across the country, incarcerated pregnant women are routinely shackled, even though restraining a pregnant inmate can pose undue health risks for the woman and her fetus.  Freedom from physical restraints is especially critical during labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery. 

Legislation is an effective way to end this medically unsafe practice, and six states have passed laws restricting the use of restraints on incarcerated pregnant women.  Anti-shackling legislation also presents the opportunity for reproductive health advocates to work on an issue that cuts across traditional reproductive, women’s, and prisoners’ rights work.  Previous anti-shackling legislative campaigns have enjoyed support across the ideological spectrum.

Presenters: 

Sondra Goldschein, Director of State Advocacy, ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project

Tina Reynolds, Co-Founder and Chair, Women on the Rise Telling HerStory (WORTH)

Malika Saada Saar, Founder and Executive Director, The Rebecca Project for Human Rights

presentation

In Labor and In Chains, by Malika Saadr Saar

In Labor and In Chains Video

Long Past Due: Constitution Protects Women In Prison From Unsafe Shackling During Childbirth, by Diana Kasden

Giving Birth In Chains, by Anna Clark

New York Gov. Paterson Promises To Sign Anti-Shackling Bill, By Emily Douglas

The Common Ground Honor Code, By Malika Saada Saar

Mothering As A Reproductive Right, by Malika Saada Saar

Pregnant Behind Bars: The Prison Doula Project, by Amie Newman