Action | Amend Minimum Standards for Jails and Lockups to add requirements on restraint of pregnant offenders |
Stage | Final |
Comment Period | Ended on 5/7/2014 |
Please support these commonsense permanent regulations to enusure the safety of mothers and their children.
These regulations ensure that a consistant policy will be applied by corrections facilities across te Commonwealth of Virginia. Restraining pregnant omen is a dangerous preactice that can result ininjury to the mother and trauma to her child. The American Medical Association, the American Congress o Obstetricians and Gynecologist, and he American Public Health Association all support limiting theuse of restraints for pregnant women.
Restraining pregnant women before and during labor and delivery is inhumane and increse the risk of accidentally triping, falling and harming the pregnancy. Also, restricts a woman's movement and could impact medical care and substantially increased harm to the child, as well a hindering medical staff trying to provie care at this time.
Freedom of movement is essential durng postpartum recovery as well. Restraints do not allow bonding after delivery, which is essental fo the physical emotional well beng of both mother and child.
I commend the Board for proposing reguations limiting theuse of restraints and urge it to make these regulations final.