FOND DU LAC, WI - Five months after the state's top corrections official said he would end the shackling of inmates during childbirth, a written policy confirming that policy is reportedly near completion.

John Dipko, a spokesman for the state Department of Corrections, said the policy is being finalized and could be complete as early as this week.

"It essentially codifies what we have been doing since secretary (Matt) Frank ordered the change in January," Dipko said. "It essentially puts it in writing."

Dipko said that the new written policy will not allow restraints, including leg shackles, during labor, delivery or recovery. Dipko said the old policy allowed restraints during part of labor and recovery.

In January, The Post-Crescent of Appleton reported on the state's practice of shackling pregnant inmates as part of a series about women in state prisons. The series was published in The Reporter and included information about Taycheedah Correctional Institution, the state women's prison at Fond du Lac, as well as comments from officials at TCI and from state corrections officials.

Inmates at Taycheedah Correctional Institution had been shackled during much of the labor, delivery and recovery process, a practice that human rights groups condemn.

After the series ran, Frank ordered the practice ended. The Post-Crescent in May reported that the practice had violated even an internal prison policy. Merica Erato, of Neenah, gave birth at Taycheedah while imprisoned for negligent homicide charges that resulted from a car crash.

She said a policy change is not enough. She said the changes must be codified in state law.

"I think as soon as it blows over, everything will go back unless the law is changed," Erato said.