Prisons Often Shackle Pregnant Inmates in Labor

[kurth]

New York Times
March 2, 2006
Prisons Often Shackle Pregnant Inmates in Labor
By ADAM LIPTAK

Shawanna Nelson, a prisoner at the McPherson Unit in Newport, Ark., had been in labor for more than 12 hours when she arrived at Newport Hospital on Sept. 20, 2003. Ms. Nelson, whose legs were shackled together and who had been given nothing stronger than Tylenol all day, begged, according to court papers, to have the shackles removed. Though her doctor and two nurses joined in the request, her lawsuit says, the guard in charge of her refused. "She was shackled all through labor," said Ms. Nelson's lawyer, Cathleen V. Compton. "The doctor who was delivering the baby made them remove the shackles for the actual delivery at the very end."

Despite sporadic complaints and occasional lawsuits, the practice of shackling prisoners in labor continues to be relatively common, state legislators and a human rights group said. Only two states, California and Illinois, have laws forbidding the practice. The New York Legislature is considering a similar bill. Ms. Nelson's suit, which seeks to ban the use of restraints on Arkansas prisoners during labor and delivery, is to be tried in Little Rock this spring. The California law, which came into force in January, was prompted by widespread problems, said Sally J. Lieber, a Democratic assemblywoman from Mountain View. "We found this was going on in some institutions in California and all over the United States," Ms. Lieber said. "It presents risks not only for the inmate giving birth, but also for the infant." ...

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/02/national/02shackles.html

[Viva_La_Revolution]

1. Well, you can't have them jumping off the table and escaping!

:mad:

[shoelace414]

2. (while you're in labor)

[liberalnurse]

3. She was shackled for a reason....

She was an inmate. All inmates remain shackled when out on a round trip from the Prison.

[SoCalDem]

4. With babies trying to get out through legs pressed together?

makes for a tight squeeze..Wonder what happens when lawsuits pop up over brain damaged babies:shrug:

Surely they could figure a way to strap her legs to the stirrup thingie so she wouldn;t bolt and run away..

She'd be easy to catch..what with the blood trail she would leave as she hobbled down the hall...before she came to the locked door

[liberalnurse]

8. Your sarcasm is foolish.

Without 100% security in an unsecured community style hospital......people get hurt or dead. Additionally, there is plenty of chain length with the shackles to permit a vaginal delivery......

The reference article is bias.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

5. So, I'm guessing they don't get to walk around during labor either

even though it helps the labor. but as a nurse you know that.

It's a stupid rule, and it should be ammended.

[liberalnurse]

7. They can walk with shackles.

They are a security risk. The fact that they are pregnant will not erase the fact that are convicted criminals who will and have attempted to harm non-security staff in such situations. Serious injuries have occurred to well intended care givers. Believe me, the mental pathology is frighteningly dangerous. To trust and be empathetic can be ones last mistake to make.

it is my understanding that some prisons do not have a maternity/LD set up and need to use a community setting. When a community setting is use, all safety measure must be precisely followed.

Think about it. If a family/friend of the prisoner knows about the hospitalization via another inmate calling to them from prison, guaranteed, an escape is imminent.

The best resolution is a hospital wing designed for inmates where the security perimeter has been well established. Community settings are not secure, thus this step must be taken.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

9. just wondering, have you had a baby?

I've had 3, and there is no way you can escape once hard labor sets in.

from that 'biased' article...

"Many states justify restraints because the prisoners remain escape risks, though there have apparently been no instances of escape attempts by women in labor."

I'm googling, and finding no reports.

as far as women in labor being dangerous, I really wanted to slug the dad, who was next to me during the first labor! He had bruises on his arm for weeks after.

[liberalnurse]

12. Once the standard is set and the word is

out on the street....That when you go in labor, all security is off..............the plans will commence. The next thought is when does security resume? Is it a judgement call and by whom?

The best way to deal with it is to avoid the need to access the public hospitals for incarcerated inmates.

Option:

Set-up secure a floor-wing for prisons at the hospital for inmates only and provide a birthing center with nursery.

[Tsiyu]

17. Your clinical manner is always impressive

but...have you ever been in labor?

I've never heard of an inmate in labor attacking anyone, though I'm sure at one time or another this may have happenned. Nevertheless, most female prisoners in the US are "in" for non-violent drug offenses.


This IS cruel and unusual punishment when a prisoner has shown zero propensity to be a flight risk and is not prone to assault others. I am amazed at how cold-hearted you appear to be about this issue and other issues involving restraining people. Always. It just amazes me, really.

I hope I never reach the level of losing my humanity or my concern for others. I hope I never reach the point where I am quick to use the most force and to believe the very worst about other human beings.

Sometimes, our fear of others makes us lose our own humanity, and we become the abusive thing we fear.

Y'think?

[liberalnurse]

18. I understand you do not have any

responsibility for others while under your employment. So, your reference point is clearly not contemporary to this issue of safety. Humanity is not limited to the moment. It is negligent to place non-security trained medical staff in harms way, without security measures. The inmate and the baby are all alive and well in this article as is the medical staff.


If you take the time and visit the associated thread you can read my other posts for details on the rationale.

A final note, I appreciate your affable nature.

[Tsiyu]

20. And you know this....how?

As far as my employment that is....I have to deal with law enforcement in my business regularly, and have never found reason to call them to restrain anyone. I've been able to handle any problems by being A HUMAN.

And you gave birth......when?

[liberalnurse]

21. I see you want to be

disrespectful.

Bye

[Mandate My Ass]

23. kudos

the constant, shrill apologetics for this barbarity is getting old fast.

:hi:

[LostinVA]

25. And not only on this thread...

[Mandate My Ass]

28. I know

The one in LBN was rather "enlightening" also. Such compassion. :eyes:

[LostinVA]

29. Yup... does this noble profession proud

[Tsiyu]

31. Thanks

It's getting old, and it makes my heart hurt :hug:

[Viva_La_Revolution]

6. Thread in LBN

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2140592

[Sapphire Blue]

10. & an earlier thread in GD...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x554366

[Viva_La_Revolution]

11. Thanks, I missed that one. Here's an Amnisty International report

from 1999

"Giving birth while incarcerated was one of the most horrifying experiences of my life. While enduring intense labour pains, I was handcuffed while being taken to the hospital, even though I was in a secured vehicle with a metal grating between the driver's and passenger's compartments and with no interior door handles on the passenger doors. With the handcuffs on, I could not even hold my stomach to get some comfort from the pain...At the hospital I was shackled to a metal bed post by my right ankle throughout seven hours of labour, although a correctional officer was in the room with me at all times. The shackles were not removed until 30 minutes prior to my delivery...Imagine being shackled to a metal bedpost, excruciating pains going through my body, and not being able to adjust myself to even try to feel any type of comfort, trying to move and with each turn having hard, cold metal restraining my movements. Not only was this painful, it was traumatizing, and very stressful for myself and also for my child...Even animals would not be shackled during labour, a household dog or a cow on a farm..The birth of a child is supposed to be a joyous experience, and I was robbed of the joy of my daughter's birth..Is it really necessary to handcuff and shackle mothers who are in labour? With all the other security measures that were in place, and with my minimum security status, did they really have to put me and my infant through that torture?"
Statement of Warnice Robinson, imprisoned in Illinois for shoplifting

http://www.amnesty.org/ailib/intcam/women/report5.html

[VelmaD]

13. so much for the person upthread who claimed...

that pregnant inmates in labor are violent criminals and security risks. The woman quoted above was a minimum security prisoner.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

14. there's more stories at that link...

but it's hard to read thru tears...

[LostinVA]

26. Check the original thread -- lots of good stats

[Horse with no Name]

15. I've worked in hospitals with prison units

and I hardly see the need for leg shackles during labor.
Handcuffing would serve the purpose quite fine, and if someone really felt the need, soft leg restraints would work out much better and are much more sanitary.
I can only imagine what kind of horrible and nasty germs live on the chains of shackles (since I am quite certain they don't clean them before labor), it is horrible to imagine what an innocent infant might come into contact with.

[I_Make_Mistakes]

16. Not referring to pregnancy, but there was an incident or two in

Philly with prison transports, and yes, I believe at least one inmate shot a security guard. Well, the hospital personnel are already stressed to the max with long hours, and now, they have to get shot by inmates? If that inmate shot someone, do you really need to believe, they shouldn't have been in prison in the first place?

Here we go, completely private hospitals, no one, but those who can pay for their services admitted. Just sometimes, things aren't as they seem. I hope you have money for those non public hospitals, because if you can't glimpse into the issue, the RW'ers will get away with it.

[Horse with no Name]

19. You don't have to put someone in leg shackles

to have them physically restrained. The hospital that I worked at had an inmate take the metal hanger that the IV fluid hung on and break it in half and held it to their carotid so I know the dangers.
WHEN instances such as this happen, it means someone didn't do their job.
The guards get lax.
I had a patient who was an inmate and I pulled back the covers to do an assessment and he was completely unrestrained. The guard was standing there with a gun, yes, however, they have strict orders to never shoot in the hospital.
No matter what the inmate patient does. I told the guard if he didn't restrain the inmate that I would call his commanding officer.
Transports and inpatient status are two different animals.
Don't confuse the issues. That is EXACTLY where clever misdirection is getting you.

[liberalnurse]

22. Thank you for sharing.

Your experience is just one reality example of the acute danger EVERY inmate presents when at a public facility. I hope you and I have enlightened a few here of the seriousness and need to protect the non-security medical personnel when dealing with inmates.

I would of called the Lieutenant anyways. :yourock:

[Horse with no Name]

27. There are ways to take the necessary precautions

humanely and with much more dignity than leg shackles allow.

[liberalnurse]

24. I agree with utilizing

an alternative restraint...if at all possible. Leathers can be just as affective and be locked. Cloth restraints pose another risk.

You are so right about the nosocomial source of infection with the shackles. :scared:

[FreedomAngel82]

30. Sick people!

Oh yeah I'm sure the person is going to run away while they're in major labor pains. :mad: