It has been my priviledge and responsibility to be present in about a year's timeframe of discussiona dealing with the anti shackling question in VA. Often present at these discussions were the Director of Corrections, Clark, the prison physician, wardens, Sen, Patrick  Hope and other officials and representatives of civic organizations. Input from data collected from the prisons, other similar state facilities in the country, medical reports and prisoner remarks provided statistical information guiding the Board to come to the conclusion that this form of "cruel and unusual punishment" is not warranted. VA is publicly known as a good state for businesses. Let us now add that it is also a state that considers  huminitarian treatment of special health needs of incarcerated individuals  as an important aspect of public health. The organization I represent at this juncture, SALT's thousand plus members ,highly support eliminating shackling before, during and after childbirth as  a mandate in jails and State prisons.