Diana Sanchez was sentenced to jail in 2018 when she was nearly nine months pregnant. She received no medical assistance and went through labor and gave birth alone in her cell.[1]

Many states lack policies to protect pregnant women, so this will happen again. The treatment of pregnant women in prison is unacceptable.

Here are some facts:[2]

• There are 9,000 pregnant women in prison today.
• 12 states lack specific policies to provide prenatal care to pregnant inmates.
• 22 states lack policies to protect prisoners with high-risk pregnancies.
• 12 states still allow pregnant women to be shackled and restrained.

John F. Kennedy said, “The rights of everyone are diminished when the rights of one person are threatened.” Denying fundamental human rights to pregnant prisoners threatens all of our rights.

So what should we do?

Pass bills in every state to protect pregnant prisoners patterned on Texas HB 650, which passed in 2019. This bill sets guidelines for protecting pregnant women in prison. It includes:

• Training for prison guards about physical and mental health of pregnant prisoners.
• Encourage pregnant inmates to learn about prenatal care and parenting skills.
• Invasive searches may only be performed by a medical professional.
• Administrative segregation (solitary confinement) may not be used.
• Restraints and shackles may not be used on pregnant inmates.
• Allows women to stay with their baby for three days.

Full Bill text here.

Sign this petition to encourage laws everywhere to improve the treatment of pregnant inmates.

[1] Roberts, M. (2021, September 15). What You Don’t Know About Story of Woman Giving Birth in Denver Jail. Westword. Retrieved November 8, 2021, Diana's story
[2] Initiative, P. P. (2019, December 5). Prisons neglect pregnant women in their healthcare policies. Prison Policy Initiative. Retrieved November 8, 2021, Statistics on Pregnant Inmates