8th Circuit Rules: Shackling is fine!

Not an ideal first post.

I've been riding on the high of Philadelphia County's first anti-shackling policy which promises to be one of the most comprehensive in the nation. The policy, once in effect, will prohibit the shackling of Riverside Correctional Facility inmates during labor, delivery, and while the mother is breast feeding and bonding.

According to Friday's edition of Northwest Arkansas's The Morning News, the 8th Circuit Court has determined that shackling incarcerated women during labor is constitutional, and does not violate a person's 8th Amendment protection from cruel and unusual punishment.

Dana Sichel, a young attorney working in Philadelphia doesn't agree.

The ruling is based on a case in which the woman's restraints were removed during birth. In my opinion, the case and the subsequent ruling fail to adequately represent and consider the experience most incarcerated women face while housed in prisons and jails that shackle during every stage of birth and delivery.

Nationally, The Rebecca Project is working on this issue. Locally, concerned and interested persons with relevant organizational affiliations are encouraged to attend the Working Group To Enhance Services for Incarcerated Women, hosted by the Penn Prison Society.

Supporting the Maternity Care Coalition, which is housed in Riverside and provides pre-natal care and counseling, in addition to doula services for incarcerated women, is a great way to help out locally.

And to end on a positive note, The Seattle Times reported on the amazing and inspiring group The Birth Attendants and the Residential Parenting Program in Seattle - something to work toward, and programs we should all hope will be replicated around the country. (Thanks to Miriam at Radical Doula for the story!)