As the spouse of a US Diplomat, I have lived all over the world and proudly represented our country on many offical and unoffical occasions. It was always a pleasure to know that I was from a country that had some of the highest ideals in the world. However, I have to admit that I was shocked, yes, incredibly shocked, when I learned of the practice of shackling pregnant prisonors as they were giving birth.

I can imagine this happening in some of the Developing Countries we served in -- or reading about it in a history book -- but it is unfathomable that it is happening in modern-day Virginia. This must end. The United States must not treat women giving birth like animals. A child is a precious thing -- and a mother -- even if she has comitted a crime has the right to dignity as she brings a new life into the world. Thank you; I hope you will consider my comment seriously.