For Immediate Release: February 7, 2012
Contact: Samantha Friedman, office: (202) 265-3000 or
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Today in Richmond:
NRCAT participates in efforts to limit shackling of pregnant women inmates
Washington, D.C. – The National Religious Campaign Against Torture today joined a diverse coalition gathered in Richmond, Va., at a press conference to support Virginia legislation to limit shackling of pregnant women prison inmates.
During the press conference at Virginia’s General Assembly Building, Delegates Patrick Hope and Jim LeMunyon discussed the dangers of shackling pregnant inmates during labor, transport to medical facilities, delivery, and postpartum recovery. They were joined by a coalition of groups working together to limit shackling of pregnant inmates. Among many, this group includes the Family Foundation, the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia, Planned Parenthood, Prison Fellowship, Virginia Council of Churches, Virginia Interfaith Center, and the National Religious Campaign Against Torture.
Heather Rice, Director of U.S. Prisons Policy and Program for the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, who has been outspoken on issues relating to prison policy in Virginia, shared remarks at the press conference. A transcript follows:
My name is Heather Rice, and I am speaking on behalf of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, a membership organization of over 300 religious organizations committed to ending torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment sponsored by the United States. We strongly support HB 836, a bill to restrict shackling of pregnant inmates. We are grateful to Delegate Hope and Delegate LeMunyon for their leadership.
Recognition of the sacredness of human life is deeply rooted in all faith traditions. Shackling pregnant prisoners during childbirth strips all dignity from the sacred moment of welcoming a new life into the world. In my own Christian faith, the sanctity of human life is established in Genesis 1:27: “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him.” In particular, the newborn child bears within himself the divine image, the image of the Christ child.
Obstetricians recognize that women who are in labor need to be able to assume different positions during birth, and restraints render a mother and her unborn child more vulnerable to complications. Restraining pregnant women before birth also poses risks to the mother and child. Women lose mobility and balance during pregnancy, and their risk of falling is increased when their legs or other limbs are restrained. Illinois passed legislation similar to HB 836 in 2000 and since then, 13 other states have followed suit. None of these states have reported instances of women escaping or causing harm to themselves, correctional or medical staff. The vast majority of women inmates are serving sentences for non-violent crimes, and it is a disgrace that women unnecessarily undergo this risky and degrading practice in Virginia. Due to shame and fear, women across the country often decline to speak out about their experience of being shackled. However, we have collected enough accounts from women brave enough to step forward and tell their story to know that we should not wait to restrict this shameful practice in Virginia. We hope that Virginia legislators will protect the sanctity of life by passing HB 836.
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