Speaking of Women's Rights: Giving birth in chains

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Giving birth in chains

Today the BBC posted a powerful news segment on the degrading, inhumane practice of shackling pregnant prisoners during labor.

Video: US state reviews female prisoner shackling laws


Legal Voice strongly opposes the practice of shackling pregnant and laboring women - it’s a horrifying human rights violation. We recently filed a lawsuit on behalf of Casandra Brawley, a woman whose experience resembles what the woman in the BBC video describes. Read more about that lawsuit here: Press Release (PDF)

Although six states in the US have outlawed this practice (California, Illinois, Vermont, New York, New Mexico, and Texas), it is unfortunately still legal in the state of Washington. Legal Voice is currently working on a new law that will change this senseless practice.

There is more information about our work to end the practice of shackling pregnant prisoners on our website.