Bill Looks to End Inmate Shackling
Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
By Joshua Powers 3-24-14
Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
Pregnant women in Massachusetts prisons may no longer be shackled unless they pose a risk of flight or are a safety concern, after bill S-2063 passed unanimously in the Senate.
Senator Karen Spilka sponsored the bill, saying that it was shocking that women are still shackled in 2014. Speaking on the senate floor, Spilka stated that “It is pretty clear that all women, I don’t care if you are in prison or not, all women deserve a safe, healthy pregnancy, and a safe, healthy delivery”.
The bill, which passed 39-0, still has to go before the house and the governor, and both must approve it. Once passed, Massachusetts will be the 18th state to prohibit the use of shackles on pregnant inmates.
In February, Governor Deval Patrick signed a 90-day emergency regulation which prohibited the practice of shackling inmates during their second and third trimesters. This comes from speculations brought before the senate in which it was told that inmates gave birth while having hands and feet restrained by iron chains.
A second senate democrat, Cynthia Creem, also stated that she filed legislation several years ago, after she made a visit to the Hampden County Prison. She stated that “I was never so shocked to find out we don’t have anti-shackling legislation. I am amazed that somebody could think that someone in the process of giving birth could get off the table and go over and do something to someone”. It was also argued that in other states, no inmate has ever tried to escape when in labor.
Amy Whitcomb, the director of Health Care for All stated that pregnant women in prison tend to have high risk pregnancies, because of the lack of care and nutrition. She also said that “The anti-shackling bill would reduce the risks and associated costs for pregnant women in our jails and prison by requiring basic medical standards like prenatal and postpartum care, access to health-related information, counseling and dietary needs”
The bill also aims to help women learn about pregnancy, and what to expect when they go into labor, something that has been missing in Massachusetts Prisons.