NYT: Prisons Often Shackle Pregnant Inmates in Labor

[Pirate Smile]

Shawanna Nelson, a prisoner at the McPherson Unit in Newport, Ark., had been in labor for more than 12 hours when she arrived at Newport Hospital on Sept. 20, 2003. Ms. Nelson, whose legs were shackled together and who had been given nothing stronger than Tylenol all day, begged, according to court papers, to have the shackles removed.


Laura Strange, a California inmate, shackled to her bed before the state enacted a law banning the practice during labor, delivery and recovery.

Though her doctor and two nurses joined in the request, her lawsuit says, the guard in charge of her refused.

"She was shackled all through labor," said Ms. Nelson's lawyer, Cathleen V. Compton. "The doctor who was delivering the baby made them remove the shackles for the actual delivery at the very end."

Despite sporadic complaints and occasional lawsuits, the practice of shackling prisoners in labor continues to be relatively common, state legislators and a human rights group said. Only two states, California and Illinois, have laws forbidding the practice.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/02/national/02shackles.html?hp&ex=1141275600&en=480977b553bb8bef&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[FormerRepublican]

1. This is sick.

[liberalnurse]

23. Inmates are dangerous characters even when pregnant.

They are a security risk. The fact that they are pregnant will not erase the fact that are convicted criminals who will and have attempted to harm non-security staff in such situations. Serious injuries have occurred to well intended care givers. Believe me, the mental pathology is frighteningly dangerous. To trust and be empathetic can be ones last mistake to make.

it is my understanding that some prisons do not have a maternity/LD set up and need to use a community setting. When a community setting is use, all safety measure must be precisely followed.

Think about it. If a family/friend of the prisoner knows about the hospitalization via another inmate calling to them from prison, guaranteed, an escape is imminent.

The best resolution is a hospital wing designed for inmates where the security perimeter has been well established. Community settings are not secure, thus this step must be taken.

[superconnected]

39. thanks for giving me a heads up on what my rw co-worker will say.

[fugwb]

41. exactly

WTH? Like they would be able to run away while in labor. give me a frickin break. like there's no other body part they could restrain. stoooopid.

[liberalnurse]

45. It has nothing to do with politics.

If you have never been professionally involved 1:1 with convicted felons then maybe you should listen to why health care workers need to be safe. The entire issue is about safety not bedside manner. The risk of attack by an inmate is real.

The links to this gal might help you visualize. Escape at any cost is an option. Not all are as easy to assume as a risk ....you just never know. She has a non-violent past according to court records.

She was pregnant at the arrest. Has since delivered her baby and been convicted.

http://www.whiotv.com/news/3850467/detail.html

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/10/25/state0205EDT0240.DTL

[prolesunited]

49. Perhaps if we just had someone at their bedside

With a Taser gun charged and ready.

[liberalnurse]

52. Why don't you

write a letter to the victims family and see what they have to say about your sarcasm?

[saigon68]

54. what victim is that?

[Megahurtz]

66. Ha ha! Freudian Slip!!! n/t

[prolesunited]

56. And by doing this, you're victimizing the newborn

You may not have any compassion for criminals, but what about those innocent little babies? What did they do to deserve to be brought into the world in such tramatic manner? Or, should babies pay the price for their mothers' sins.

And BTW, not every crime has a victim in the sense you are implying. What about non-violent offenders, like bad check writers, drug users, thiefs, etc. Sure, you can say there are "victims" in these cases, but does it really warrant such treatment.

What about the women who are impregnated by prison personnel, be it rape or consensual? Do they deserve this further indignity as well?

[liberalnurse]

58. That sounds like a great beginning

for a new thread. You bring up some excellent issues! What about my suggestion to become a stronger advocate for the incarcerated mother-to-be to have a secure birthing center established in all prison systems?

This would protect the medial staff, who are not the least bit experienced in security, and provide the inmates with maternal dignity.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

61. I very much doubt a random application of physical abuse

inside the prison will be of any relevance to victims and/or their families. Unless they also happen to be sadistic psychopaths with a punishment fetish -- which not all of them are.

[JetCityLiberal]

68. Beat me to it n/t

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

62. Nothing to do with politics?

I hope you looked away from the monitor while typing that, or else the near-lightspeed growth of your nose will have shattered it to bits.

[Megahurtz]

65. What??? NOT EVERY inmate is violent!

Didn't you know that anyone at pretty much at anytime
could be arrested for something totally stupid?
You have a pretty biased view against all inmates.
Just wait until it's your turn.:evilgrin:

[GinaMaria]

77. Get the facts about the drug war

From one nurse to another... you are mistaken about the violent nature of female prisoners.

1. The most serious offense for 65% of women in federal prisons and 31.5% of women in state prisons is violation of drug laws.

2. The number of women incarcerated in prisons and jails in the USA is approximately 10 times more than the number of women incarcerated in Western European countries, even though Western Europe's combined female population is about the same size as that of the USA.

3. "During 2004 the number of women under the jurisdiction of State or Federal prison authorities increased 4.0% (table 5). The number of men in prison rose 1.8%. At yearend 2004, 104,848 women and 1,391,781 men were in prison."

4. "From 1995 to 2004 the annual growth of the female inmate population averaged 4.8%, higher than the 3.1% increase in male inmate population. By yearend 2004 women accounted for 7.0% of all prisoners, up from 6.1% in 1995 and 5.7% in 1990."

5. "Relative to their number in the U.S. resident population, men were over 14 times more likely than women to be incarcerated in a State or Federal prison. At yearend 2004 there were 64 sentenced female inmates per 100,000 women in the United States, compared to 920 sentenced male inmates per 100,000 men."

6. Women are the fastest growing and least violent segment of prison and jail populations. 85.1% of female jail inmates are behind bars for nonviolent offenses.

7. From 1986 (the year mandatory sentencing was enacted) to 1996, the number of women sentenced to state prison for drug crimes increased ten fold (from around 2,370 to 23,700) and has been the main element in the overall increase in the imprisonment of women.

8. From 1985 to 1996, female drug arrests increased by 95%, while male drug arrests increased by 55.1%.

9. In 2004, there were a reported 2,387,879 arrests of women, of which 236,109 were for drug offenses -- 18.8% of the 1,251,059 drug arrests that year. (Note: This represents a portion of the total estimated arrests in 2004, covering 10,831 agencies comprising a total population of 210,262,518 Americans.)

10. Between 1990 and 1996, the number of women convicted of drug felonies increased by 37% (from 43,000 in 1990 to 59,536 in 1996). The number of convictions for simple possession increased 41% over that period, from 18,438 in 1990 to 26,022 in 1996.

11. In 1997 a US Justice Department investigation of women's prisons in Arizona concluded that the authorities failed to protect women from sexual misconduct by correctional officers and other staff. The misconduct included rape, sexual relationships, sexual touching and fondling, and "without good reason, frequent, prolonged, close-up and prurient viewing during dressing, showing and use of toilet facilities." (CIV97-476, US District of Arizona).

12. Retaliation for reports of abuse impedes women's access to protection of their human rights. One woman who won a lawsuit against the Federal Bureau of Prisons for sexual abuse reported that she was beaten, raped and sodomized by three men who in the course of the attack told her that they were attacking her in retaliation for providing a statement to investigators.

13. Sick and pregnant women are routinely shackled during hospitalization and childbirth if they are inmates of prisons or jails in the USA.

14. "Female incarceration rates, though substantially lower than male incarceration rates at every age, reveal similar racial and ethnic disparities. Black females (with an incarceration rate of 170 per 100,000) were more than twice as likely as Hispanic females (75 per 100,000) and 4 times as likely as white females (42 per 100,000) to be in prison on December 31, 2004. These differences among white, black, and Hispanic females were consistent across all age groups."

15. Approximately 516,200 women on probation (72% of the total), 44,700 women in local jails (70% of the total), 49,200 women in State prisons (65% of the total), and 5,400 women in Federal prisons (59% of the total) have minor children.

16. "Of the Nation's 72.3 million minor children in 1999, 2.1% had a parent in State or Federal prison. Black children (7.0%) were nearly 9 times more likely to have a parent in prison than white children (0.8%). Hispanic children (2.6%) were 3 times as likely as white children to have an inmate parent."

17. In 1997 an estimated 2.8% of all children under age 18 had at least one parent in a local jail or a State or Federal prison. About 1 in 359 children have an incarcerated mother - for a total of 194,504 children with their mothers behind bars.

18. Forty-four percent of women under correctional authority, including 57% of the women in State prisons, reported that they were physically or sexually abused at some point in their lives. Sixty-nine percent of women reporting an assault said that it had occurred before age 18.

19. Many women in prisons and jails in the USA are victims of sexual abuse by staff, including male staff touching inmates' breasts and genitals when conducting searches; male staff watching inmates while they are naked; and rape.

http://www.drugwarfacts.org/women.htm

[LostinVA]

82. Thanks for posting this -- I'm saving it

Great stats.

[Horse with no Name]

87. Awesome facts

And as another nurse to you, I totally agree.

[miss_american_pie]

84. An escape is imminent?

During labor?

I can't see how, whether medicated or not.

[LostinVA]

95. Having you ever watched "America's Most Wanted"?

No? They have at least three fugitives every week who escaped while in labor...:sarcasm:

[Lindacooks]

2. This PROVES how sick right wingers are.

They are nothing but sadists and misogynists. They HATE women and will do everything they can to make women's lives miserable.

[cali]

6. Actually, you can't blame any political

wing on this. Having worked as an advocate for prisoners, I can tell you it's bureaucracy more than anything else.

[donsu]

21. bureaucracy is another word for people, live breathing people

nt

[NashVegas]

76. nevermind

wrong thread.

[LeftyMom]

3. That's dangerous for mother and baby

women who move around and give birth in upright positions have shorter labor. Birthing on ones's back can result in decreased oxygen to the baby and increases the risk of perineal tears for the mother.

[shanti]

19. then it's pretty obvious

they don't care about these things or making the experience more comfortable for the mother. inmates are looked upon as "less than" anyway.

they're all "in prison for a reason", right? :sarcasm:

(not ranting at you, but at this inhumane treatment)

[liberalnurse]

24. It is about security..............

Nothing less than keeping support staff safe and preventing an escape. I'd like to see you attend to the inmates in labor without security. I did not get to read the article because it is a sign-up site. If this was a community hospital setting and not a secured prison setting then this is what I would want being a non security trained nurse.

[LostinVA]

83. Yup, those women are getting what they DESERVE

Criminal bitches shouldn't have been hooking to put food on the table for her kids. And getting knocked up? What a slut -- and OUR tax dollars have to pay for it! Just make her give birth in her cell. The other criminal bitches can help her.

[liberalnurse]

25. The shackles do not

prohibit adequate exposure of the perineum. Have you ever been alone in a room with a convicted felon/criminal who has just been sentenced to prison? Do you want to let your "guard down" when there are sharp instruments available for the inmate to stab you with? If so, you go and be my guest! I'm like taking that day off.

[Mandate My Ass]

31. Good. I hope you do every time a woman comes in like that

Take the day off, please. Your obvious contempt and readiness to assume the worst about them is sickeningly unprofessional. There are thousands and thousands of women who are imprisoned for nothing more than drug addiction, thanks to the "war on drugs."


To keep them shackled during active labor and delivery is sickening and cruel.

[liberalnurse]

35. The inmates are the threat..........

Not me.................they would threaten you too if you were there.

[Mandate My Ass]

36. yeah, whatever

what a persecution complex. A woman in active labor is a threat to nobody. Keep kidding yourself and talking about them like they're rabid animals just because they've been convicted of a crime.

Most women in jail are either former addicts or wrote bad checks to keep a roof over their heads and to feed their kids.

I wouldn't wish your "care" on any of them. I'm sure your contempt would be plainly visible at a time when a woman is thinking of nothing else than how little time she has until they yank the baby out of her arms and cart her back to her cage.

[LostinVA]

43. I know -- ridiculous

[liberalnurse]

48. If such women were in jail and ready

to deliver....I bet the county jail would release them....so they don't have to pay the hospital bill. What the article identified was a convicted prisoner who could not be released.( Jail and Prison are differnt) Security for the public is essential when accessing a community hospital. Anything less is negligent. If my daughter, a nurse, was injured by an unsecured prisoner in ER.....I would be really pisst.

[Lindacooks]

38. A woman in labor and delivering a baby is a threat to others?? Good God.

That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

63. That's debatable. -nt

[loudsue]

69. Liberalnurse, I sympathize with your position. I've been around some

people who have been in the prison system...some who are psychopaths, and very dangerous. I have seen how sneaky they can be about garnering sympathy, only to destroy the people who fall for the ploy. The danger is very real, and the truly criminal mind is very devious.

However, I also know that there are several ways to restrain a female prisoner in a manner that would allow for a more natural posture for giving birth, and still protect the caregivers.

What I'm in favor of is people in positions of power to start thinking outside the box for solutions to problems, as human beings, rather than cornered, paranoid animals.

The fact that a women's prison facility doesn't have the wherewithall to provide a delivery area for women prisoners is part of the problem with "PRIVATIZED prisons". Privatized prisons are in it for PROFIT, and are not threatened with the fear of losing an election if they don't act like human beings. Prisons and the military are two functions of government that should be a reflection of government policy, rather than corporate policy. Cutting financial corners -- like no decent birthing room in a woman's prison, and no flack jackets for soldiers except for Blackwater (where there is actually a PROFIT to the company when they bill the government for flack jackets for their mercenaries) -- are a problem with corporate thinking: they're trying to please their stockholders and the bottom line, NOT the citizen voters.

Republicans think like corporations, NOT government leaders. Republicans HATE government and LOVE business, so republicans should not be allowed to govern GOVERNMENTS that they hate. Business is their true "God".

:kick::kick::kick:

[liberalnurse]

91. Excellent insight and a terrific post.

Finally, a discussion post worthy of DU.

You have outlined a great synopsis. Someone ought to read it and make claims on it for a thesis, then become published and send it off for legislative action.

I'm at work at the moment and took the short way to give you many accolades. O8) :hi:

[Joanne98]

92. peace takes courage

[liberalnurse]

46. See post # 35...........

This may help you open up your scope of view. Look beyond what is know because this is where vulnerabilities can be found.

[LostinVA]

32. They can't grab weapons with their toes

[LeftyMom]

44. I'm not talking about the care provider's access to the perineum

I'm talking about a woman's need to birth in an upright position if she chooses and to move about during labor. A shackled woman is forced to birth in the lithotomy position which is both more painful and less safe, however convenient it may be for the care provider.

I've visited women's prisons without fear, even as a child (my father ran a correctional facility kitchen, so when he brought me to visit his job I was surrounded by inmate laborers with knives.) Most of the inmates are there for minor drug offenses and property crimes. Why would you fear an inmate more than any other stranger who comes in the door? Many of them have commited crimes too, but weren't caught or aren't currently incarcerated. In any case, a woman in active labor is simply much too focused on what her body is doing (and likely how miserable it feels) to do anything other than have her baby.

[laundry_queen]

72. Exactly.

And if she is 'acting violently' chances are she's delirious with pain and traumatized at being held in a position that makes her absolutely powerless to help ease her pain however slightly. BTDT. Chances that a woman in active labour is planning her excape is laughable.

This is disgusting and inhumane and shows how far women's rights have fallen. I'm horrified.
edited for typos

[Erika]

4. Shackling women in labor?

Why? What a low opinion of women. I swear this country is becoming more Taliban in nature as the right wing fanatics take over the GOP.

The animal humane societies are kinder to dogs than our institutions are to women.

[saigon68]

13. THE THUGS RUNNING THE INSTITUTIONS

Believe the INMATES are TRAMPS and deserve a little "hard time" TREATMENT.

They are the same as these sweethearts


NAZI SS CAMP GUARDS AT BERGEN-BELSEN

[djg21]

80. What?

Have you ever met someone who works at a prison?

Have you ever sat face-to-face with a felon convicted of a violent crime?

Another uninformed and cluless generalization.

[saigon68]

81. Do you work in a prison?

Guards like to beat up prisoners and humiliate them

[djg21]

93. You are full of *&^#!

Yes, I do work in and around prisons. I also know numerous COs. They all just want to do their shifts and go home to their families without incident. There is a saying in prison: "both the inmates and the COs do time, the COs just do their time in 8hr increments." It is a thankless job, that is exceedingly dangerous. COs do not regularly carry firearms, and they are a target for every gangbanger and thug who wants to impress his cellmates. Then, they get sued every time they look funny at an inmate. Of course there are also a few asshole COs. But there are assholes in every profession.

You have no clue what you are talking about, and you've been watching too many made-for-TV movies.

[sarcasmo]

17. Exactly, Christian Taliban and the Muslim Taliban are just about the same.

Christian Taliban wants women to have no control over their body.

Muslim Taliban wants Women to have no control over their body.

Christian Taliban says it's OK to kill children over their instead of here.

Muslim Taliban says it's OK to kill children over their instead of here.

[cali]

5. Thank you so much for posting this

and thanks to the NYT for running this story. Time to get to work in my state. This is barbaric, and it should be something that people of all political persuasions can agree on.

[Pirate Smile]

10. It is so unbelievably cruel. It's just Shocking.

[liberalnurse]

27. Killing or assulting

health care staff is also cruel. O8)

Do you want to be the medial attending who takes the risk? Think about it...

[Pirate Smile]

47. I would think it would depend on the circumstances, the inmate, their

history, etc.

Staff with a weapon in the room I certainly get but I've gone through labor three times and the idea of doing it in shackles seems a bit cruel.

I would think it could be handled in a more humane way.

[liberalnurse]

50. Providing a secure birthing area

or a prison wing at a hospital is the only way. If the inmate is exposed to the community/public and medical staff not trained in security....then this is the only option.

I suggest advocating for prisons to provide a safe, secure and embracing birthing center for the ladies.

[Megahurtz]

67. Get Out! You have no guarantee that every pregnant inmate

is going to attack you! Your thinking seems almost egotistical or something!
Have you ever thought that maybe those inmates don't care about you?
I mean after all, I think they're a little preoccupied!:think:

[laundry_queen]

73. No kidding.

I'm sure every minute of those contractions they're plotting to attack you. They're all murderous thugs that just can't wait to get into labor so they can excape (and go TO WHERE may I ask? Jesus!)

[Chovexani]

7. Culture of life, my ass. n/t

[w8liftinglady]

8. I have had patients intubated,on life support-shackled to the bed

I asked the guard to remove the sahckles in case we had to defibbrilate the patient...they were prohibitted...guard sat at bedside with keys at all times...in our county hospital..

[azurnoir]

11. And patients on chemo

who were too sick and weak move. I asked a guard to remove the handcuffs at least so the patients port-a-cath could be accessed and was told no this could an act!!!!!

[liberalnurse]

28. Did you thank the Officer

for keeping you safe? There is no changing of the rules when the community is placed at risk. Just when you think you are safe, you may end up injured or dead. Unfortunately, not all prisons have a fully functioning hospital, community settings have to be accessed at times for care.....Safety of the public is first priority.

[rodeodance]

9. treat them like freaks and they will be freaks! sick sick sick

[liberalnurse]

33. No, some already

have joined that club before even going to jail. That's why they were arrested,,,,,,,,behavior out of control. This is a safety issue for you and me.

Have you been in a room alone with any currently incarcerated inmates lately? There are a vast number of extremely volatile people out in our society.

[progressivebydesign]

89. as a nurse, you know of what you write.

I pointed that out later in this thread. Sadly, it's a necessary step to protect the staff, and even the mother and baby themselves. The urge and opportunity to escape have led to some really bad, bad, decisions.

[HuffleClaw]

12. appalling

words cannot describe.

[lostnfound]

14. Daughter of a friend in Texas, same thing. And no time with baby

after she was born. Took the baby away immediately, put in state care for 24 hours, didn't call the grandma to tell her the baby was born until the next day, so she could come pick her up.

She was in prison for drug possession, if I recall.
"Violent crimes" my a**. Inhuman psychopaths running the prison system is more like it (at least some very bad apples, not meaning it to be a blanket statement).

The old sticker "mean people suck" needs to be updated to read "cruel people suck".

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[noonwitch]

16. I do think in those cases, shackling one leg to the bed should do

If there is no risk of that person being assualtive, then one leg shackled to the bed should work.

[liberalnurse]

30. Who makes that decision?

Who assumes the risk for the unpredictable behavior of a known convicted felon who is incarcerated in prison? Do you want to take full responsibility if someone is injured or killed due to lack of safety because it was the nice thing to do?...

I'm trying to express the point that an inmate is assumed to look for every minute opportunity to either "act-out" or escape. I'm not saying they don't deserve all the tender care measures, I do, but it can only be offered in a known secure perimeter. If that is not provided and care must be delivered by non-security bases staff...then these measures are the only way to protect the innocent against the unknown.

[LostinVA]

34. Most female felons are convicted for non-violent crimes

I have TEN CO's in my family, one who does nothing but take women to a public hospital, and he is appalled at this. And, he's a RW, Bush-loving, racist bastard.

[liberalnurse]

37. Expalin with a little more information.

I'm not clear as to what the Escort C.O is upset about? Is it about the state/county footing the bills for all their health care needs? :shrug:

Is he at a jail or prison?

[LostinVA]

42. Quit being so sarcastic to me

All I did was answer a post. I didn't insult you or anything. I suspect you're so used to being able to make yourself feel big by belittling your PATIENTS that you think you can do that to anyone. Sorry to tell you that you're wrong.

And yes, if you incarcerate someone, you pay for their health care . Anything less is barbaric. And if the government legalized drugs, or at least leave the pot smokers alone.

To answer your oh-so-obnoxious query: my RWer uncle, who refers to blacks as "n*ggers," thinks it's a disgrace to shackle women in labor, women having chemo, women getting ready to have their appendix out.

He is in a women's maximum security PRISON. Has worked there for over 20 years, and says most of the women in there are only there because of their scummy boyfriends. He, like many cops, believes drugs should eb legalized.

Now, I don't have to read your sarcastic, nasty personal rantings, so I'm putting you on Ignore.

You should be ashamed of yourself. I have two nurses in my family, and I understand what you do. You should change jobs if you have so much contempt and visual hate for your patients, because it is unprofessional,m and against your calling a s a nurse.

[liberalnurse]

51. Jeepers..............

No one is being sarcastic.................I just asked for a little clarification so we could continue the thought.

I'll await your apology.

[Bridget Burke]

53. Perhaps shackles are not enough.

Shouldn't all caregivers who must associate with these dangerous folks be given tasers?

[liberalnurse]

57. I don't understand the direction

you want to take this?

Have your read any of my other posts which add to the story for the need to create a secure birthing center to accommodate the needs of the incarcerated mothers-to-be? Do you have any feedback regarding this expanded thought?

[Bridget Burke]

59. Secure birthing centers would be ideal....

But you've pointed out that shackling is necessary if they are not available.

You've always supported tasers before. Don't you want the health care providers to be able to protect themselves? A boyfriend could break into a non-secured area with tools to cut through the shackles.

[liberalnurse]

60. I sense you don't perceive

danger which is your first mistake and could be your last. Good luck to ya.

Answer me this....Are you in a position to actually attend to such a client? If not, then try and show that liberal love for those who's life is placed into such danger.

Public health care workers are not trained in security. That is why the Officers are present. You joke about the boyfriend breaking in.......well, that is why the inmates are never told when they are going out into the public such as to the hospital, they will arrange for escape or visitation....Ask any Jail Sergeant, they can tell you why it is a security risk.

I have had to process these issue with Law Enforcement to protect my staff.

[Bridget Burke]

64. Nursing is a tough profession.

Especially in the squalid, dangerous environment you describe.

Burnout?

[LostinVA]

74. I have two nurses in my family -- lots of nursing jobs out there

[shanti]

79. badda boom!

;) thank god for the ignore feature!

[meganmonkey]

18. Well, maybe they thought she'd try to escape

:shrug:

IN THE MIDDLE OF GIVING BIRTH!!! :banghead: :puke:

[liberalnurse]

26. Yes, they have tried......

Getting out is that important......Do we know why she was in prison? Murder maybe?

[superconnected]

40. most women are not in prison for murder

most are accomplices. But don't let me stop you from assuming the worst.

[liberalnurse]

55. It has nothing to do with assuming the

security risk....It is acknowledged as such. I suggest a stronger advocacy for the women of prison to have a secure birthing center established. Then, the safety issue can be fully addressed to accommodate the dignity for all. If the inmate goes into the community, like to town/city hospital, such measures must be strictly adhered to for the public safety.

There is a lot of passion here as do I have....................Together we could bring a strong voice for these women....Me wanting to avoid risk to my nurses at the local level and to bring dignity to the women of incarceration.

[Lorien]

71. Prisons are severely cash strapped

most inmates have difficulty receiving the most basic health services due to funding cuts-especially severe under BushCo. Funding would need to be raised more than 50% to even consider "birthing centers".

[Lorien]

70. Very true. My father was a psychologist for a state woman's prison

The majority were women who had been beaten and sexually abused as children, who then got caught up with similar abusers as teens who conned them into driving getaway cars, running drugs, etc. Most violence in women's prisons is self directed (attempted suicide and self mutilation).

[donsu]

20. and they are banning abortions - are we women going to let them beat

us down again?

kick them all in the nuts

[donsu]

22. america is a crime scene

nt

[BlueIris]

29. It's so sad that this is "news" to so many.

I've known about the abomination of the American prison system for a while now and it's--if they only knew.

[happyslug]

75. Yes keep them Shackles unless it may cost money.

I once worked with a co-worker who was on Work Release (She had been convicted of selling drugs after she herself was a drug addict). Anyway, she had her car and the County Jail would leave her drive 30 miles one way to her work site by herself, but when it came to trips from the Jail to see her Psychologist the Guards had to drive her while she was shackled. Yes, they did NOT believe she would run away with a money in her pocket and a full tank of Gas, but when she might run away if she went two blocks to see her Psychologist.

When she had to go three countries over on a case involving Custody of her Child, when the County was told that meant paying OVERTIME for the Guards to drive her to the Trial, she was told she could go by herself. She was a Real danger to Society and an Escape Risk.

Why was she shackled for local trips but not out of county trips? While the Sheriff's Car and Deputies were already on the payroll, so no extra costs to the County, but if you had to go out of the County, the County had to pay mileage and overtime.

[Nikia]

78. I read about shackling in Wisconsin

In the Post-Crescent. The two women they gave as examples, were none violent. One was in prision because she violated her probation which was originally given for a drug conviction. The other was convicted of vehiculiar homicide in which her son died because she was determined to be high on marijuana at the time. Both women had relatively short sentences as well. AS a result of the article, prision officials said that there would be a change of policy.
I agree that most female prisioners in labor would be a low risk for trying to escape or violence. Most female prisioners are non violent with most of the violent ones being violent against a single person like an abusive husband or boyfriend. Labor would probably not be a time when the woman would be most likely to try to be violent or escape. Of course there should be a a security guard with them and perhaps shackled initially. Once they are in active labor though, the shackles should come off.
As far as the off chance that the woman does become violent either to act out or escape, doesn't that happen with non imprisioned women as well. Don't medical personal ever see mentally ill people who become worse when they are physically suffering. I'd imagine that mentally ill, some quite severely so, women give birth too. I'd imagine that since giving birth is stressful that some mentally ill women, who were not previously violent, might become violent. I'd imagine that they might be more unpredictable than prisioners convicted of a non violent offense.

[appilette]

85. New to me

I guess that's to stop them running around to Personel for assistance.

[The Stranger]

86. Uh, innocent people are being tortured in Guantanamo.

[progressivebydesign]

88. Sadly it's necessary.

There have been numerous cases of prisoners escaping from hospitals, regardless of their injuries or circumstances. It's for the protection of the staff, and probably the baby.

[shanti]

90. if you read the story

it mentions that the STAFF are the ones that suggest removing the shackles, so they obviously aren't "afraid" of them.

we're not just talking "prisoners" here, it's LABORING PRISONERS.

[djg21]

94. Some are!

for every medical provider quoted in the story, I can find you a medical provider who has stopped providing care to inmates after being assaulted, or a medical provider who will not care for inmates who are not in restraints. It would have been nice if the journalist who wrote this story actually asked some of those persons for quotations too.

[LostinVA]

96. NO it isn't -- not leg shackles

You can restrain the patient in many ways, including soft restraints, wrist shackles, etc. It is NOT necessary to do it THIS way.

[Tigress DEM]

97. Different than what I expected.

I can only see a shackle on one leg. If it were both or if it prevented the doctor access, I could see it.

However, despairation could lead someone in that situation to try and escape. I don't know if they are even allowed to keep their children while jailed, so unless satisfactory arrangements have been made with relatives... an inmate might even try to escape just to keep her child.