For Immediate Release: February 9, 2012
Contact: Samantha Friedman, office: (202) 265-3000 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

People of faith disappointed in Virginia subcommittee’s refusal to protect incarcerated women
Subcommittee shelves legislation that would have limited shackling of pregnant inmates

Washington, D.C. – Today, a subcommittee of the Virginia House of Delegates Committee on Militia, Police and Public Safety declined to take up legislation that if given full consideration, could have allowed more humane treatment of pregnant women inmates.

The National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) has been outspoken in its efforts to end torture in prisons.  Heather Rice, NRCAT’s Director of U.S. Prisons Policy and Program, today presented testimony at the hearing in support of Virginia legislation to limit shackling of pregnant inmates.

In response to the subcommittee’s decision to table the issue, Rev. Richard Killmer, Executive Director of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, a coalition of 313 religious institutions and organizations, issued the following statement:

"I am disappointed and saddened by the action of the subcommittee.

The members of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture believe that constraining pregnant prisoners during pregnancy and childbirth neglects the sacredness of human life, a concept deeply rooted in all faith traditions, and strips the dignity both from the women themselves, created in the image of God, and from the sacred moment of welcoming a new life into the world.  We must seek to preserve the dignity of all human beings, even those who have committed crimes.  It is especially true that every child has inherent worth – and should be treated that way.

Despite overwhelming public support and personal testimonies about women who have experienced the barbaric practice of shackling, and despite the fact that there was a broad exception available for police and correctional officers to use their discretion where a woman posed a compelling security threat or flight risk, the subcommittee made a mistake in not taking a public stance to protect the well-being of both mother and child.  While we’re hopeful that the Board of Corrections’ ongoing regulatory process will produce clear guidelines across the state restricting this practice, the members of the legislature missed a crucial opportunity to send a message conveying their belief that life is sacred, including the life of  a child born to an incarcerated mother."

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