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By Kathryn Wiley|Published Date: March 04, 2010
The Washington Senate has approved a House ban on shackling pregnant prisoners, according to a report on Northwest Public Radio.
The new law would prohibit prison and jail staff from shackling a female inmate in her third trimester of pregnancy. The only exceptions would be if she posed a flight risk or a danger to herself or others.
No restraints will be allowed during childbirth unless ordered by a doctor, and at no time will women be put in leg irons or waist chains. In addition, guards will have to stay outside the delivery room unless asked in by the medical staff.
Democratic State Sen. Karen Fraser says the statewide policy is in response to inmates in labor being handcuffed to the bed.
“I think the main thing to remember is that when a woman is in prison, she’s sentenced to time, not to physical harm,” Fraser said.
Republican Sen. Val Stevens noted the ban on shackling is also aimed at protecting the unborn child.
The vote to approve the ban was unanimous in the Senate. Senate Bill 2747 now goes back to the House for agreement before heading to the governor to be signed.
Only six other states—California, Illinois, New Mexico, New York, Texas and Vermont—have legislation regulating the use of restraints on pregnant women.
For more information, visit Justice Fellowship’s resource page on Shackling Inmates During Childbirth. |
