Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Corrections
 
Board
State Board of Local and Regional Jails
 
chapter
Minimum Standards for Jails and Lockups [6 VAC 15 ‑ 40]
Action Amend Minimum Standards for Jails and Lockups to add requirements on restraint of pregnant offenders
Stage Proposed
Comment Period Ended on 9/27/2013
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8/13/13  8:43 am
Commenter: William Watts

Protect Pregnant Women and Children
 

I ask that you support these permanent regulations to ensure the safety of mothers and their children. These regulations ensure that a consistent policy will be applied by corrections facilities across the Commonwealth.  Restraining pregnant women is a dangerous practice that can result in injury to the mother and trauma to her child. The American Medical Association, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Public Health Association all support limiting the use of restraints for pregnant inmates. I commend the Board for proposing regulations limiting the use of restraints and urge it to make these regulations final. 

CommentID: 28844