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 |
I am writing to you today to join my voice with The broad coalition of faith-based organizations, women’s rights advocates, and prison reform groups, includes, in part, ACLU of Virginia, The Family Foundation, Justice Fellowship, Legal Aid Justice Center, National Religious Campaign Against Torture, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia, Social Action Linking Together, Virginia Council of Churches and The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy in support of removing restraints from laboring inmates. These women pose no threat to public safety during the vulnerable time of labor and delivery, yet the policy of restraint could endanger them and the lives of their children. To shackle a woman in labor is both cruel and inhumane. Women deserve better. Their children deserve better. Preserve their dignity and the dignity of all of us who call Virginia home.