Home » 2013
Yearly Archives: 2013
HB 27 – Delegate Washington Files Bill for 2014 Session
After last year’s unsuccessful struggle for human rights in Maryland, Delegate Mary Washington is back again this year to stop the practice of shackling pregnant women while incarcerated in local jails and state prisons. To read the bill text go here: House Bill 27 – 2014 Session – 1st Reading.
The filing of this year’s bill marks the start of our campaign to change how we do business in our jails and prisons. Last year over one hundred organizations and individuals endorsed the statement of opposition in order to tell state law makers that we don’t want the safety of women and their pregnancies jeopardized. To include your opposition go to www.stopshacklingmd.org and complete the form, THEN tell a friend!
The bill is aptly named the “Healthy Births for Incarcerated Women Act” and is summarized as prohibiting the use of a physical restraint on an inmate while the inmate is in labor or during delivery; requiring the medical professional responsible for the care of a certain inmate to determine when the inmate’s health allows the inmate to be returned to a correctional facility after giving birth; prohibiting, with certain exceptions, a physical restraint from being used on a certain inmate; requiring a correctional facility todocument certain use of a physical restraint; requiring the managing official of a local correctional facility to take certain actions when a certain representation concerning an inmate is made; requiring the Department of Juvenile Services to adopt certain regulations; requiring the Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services and the managing official of each local correctional facility to provide a certain report to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before a certain date; declaring the findings of the General Assembly, defining certain terms; generally relating to pregnant inmates and the use of physical restraints.
Hearings held in Mass. to improve conditions for pregnant women!
Rachel Roth has worked nationwide to improve treatment and conditions of incarcerated pregnant women. Now her home state of Massachusetts is moving forward to limit shackling. If you live Massachusetts it is time to mobilize! Here is Rachel’s blog post in Moms Rising that will bring you up to speed and tell you how to get involved. Read HERE.
Maryland House Bill 829 Dies in Committee Process
Maryland House Bill 829, the bill that would Stop Shackling Pregnant Women In Maryland, is dead for this legislative session. There were many twists and turns, and with the harmful amendments passed by two committees, we can be relieved that it will not go forward in its current form. This practice has been going on since women have been giving birth behind bars — the bill that bans shacking pregnant women must be done right. We appreciate valiant work from lead sponsor Mary Washington and Delegate Ariana Kelly, and the work and advocacy by you and many others. Keep an eye out for next steps — we cannot stop until we know that we will forever Stop Shackling Pregnant Women in Maryland.
Maryland Statement Of Opposition Endorsed Widely
The Maryland Statement of Opposition has been signed by nearly 100 individuals and organizations in Maryland and beyond. The breadth of signatories speaks volumes about the extent of support to stop this harmful practice in Maryland. Organizational supporters include healthcare organizations, local service providers who work with women, legal organizations, faith-based organizations, student groups, and local and national women’s rights organizations, among others. Individuals from Maryland and across the country have also signed on in support, including health care professionals, social workers, academics, judges, and everyday citizens who object to the practice of shacklingpregnant women who are incarcerated. Read the statement here (PDF): Opposition_statement_final 022513
Bill to End Shackling of Pregnant Women Filed in Maryland
Maryland House Bill 829 has been filed and a hearing has been scheduled on 2/26 in Annapolis. To read the bill, find out about hearings, and see revisions, CLICK HERE. Here is the bill summary: Requiring that the medical professional responsible for the care of an inmate determine when the inmate’s health allows the inmate to be returned to a correctional facility after giving birth; providing that it is the policy of the State that restraint of pregnant inmates during labor and delivery should not be used unless determined necessary by an attending medical professional or specified others; requiring the security officer of a correctional facility to make and maintain specified written findings; etc.
State Delegate Announces Upcoming Bill on Shackling
Delegate Mary Washington has announced that she will introduce Anti-Shackling Legislation in the 2013 session of the Maryland General Assembly. In her January issue of The Washington Report she says, “In October 2012, the National Women’s Law Center and the Rebecca Project for Human Rights released a report entitled “Mothers Behind Bars: A State-by-State Report Card and Analysis of Federal Policies on Conditions of Confinement for Pregnant and Parenting Women and the Effect on their Children”. The report explored the inhumane practice of shackling incarcerated women during childbirth and other important issues confronting pregnant and parenting women behind bars. The report reveals that the vast majority of women affected by these policies are non-violent, first-time offenders. According to their report card, Maryland’s policies and procedures regarding the shackling of incarcerated pregnant women receive a failing grade. This practice needs to change and I have drafted legislation to condemn this practice.” We are are looking forward to supporting Delegate Washington’s stand for human rights in Maryland. If you would like to read more about Delegate Washington’s legislative agenda, CLICK HERE.