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| Prison practice shocks: Women shackled during childbirth |
| By telegram.com - John J. Monahan |
| Published: 12/16/2013 |
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House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee Chairman Harold P. Naughton Jr. said he will ask the state Department of Corrections for an official report on the practice of shackling women prisoners during labor and childbirth. Rep. Naughton, D-Clinton, and a candidate for attorney general, said he was unaware of the practice until a group of inmate advocates, clergy and a women's health group condemned it as potentially dangerous, inhumane and cruel at a Statehouse hearing on a bill that would ban the practice. "Oftentimes until these things are brought to our attention we don't necessarily have visibility on them," Mr. Naughton said. "There was an impressive presentation by the people opposing it and I am looking for a response from the Department of Corrections on this issue." State Department of Correction officials Friday declined to provide any information on its policies regarding use of restraints on women in labor and during childbirth. DOC Acting Director of Public Affairs Cara Savelli said it is the policy of the Department of Correction, overseen by Commissioner Luis S. Spencer, not to comment on issues involved in pending legislation. Because it is the subject of a pending bill she said, "We wouldn't make any comment." But testimony about shackled women in labor shocked some lawmakers. Read More. |
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