Action | Amend Minimum Standards for Jails and Lockups to add requirements on restraint of pregnant offenders |
Stage | NOIRA |
Comment Period | Ended on 2/29/2012 |
Please change the Virginia policy for shackling women during childbirth. This practice is not in line with humane treatment and can harm the mother and newborn. Health officials, data from current and former prisoners, poliy changes agreed to by the office of Director of Corrections and many VA residents & many other states have promoted this change. The VA Assembly allows a bill to be tabled if only one sub committee member votes against it. This was the case in this instance. We must change this process to allow the proper consideration of all Assembly members on items as important as this. This is not an item which costs great funds. It makes Americans think that living in the Commonwealth is unfavorable for those who chaish the freedoms and protections provided for all in our constitution. The child to be born did not commit a crime and deserves to be born with the best possible conditions for future health and happiness.