FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dotty Griffith, Public Education Director, ACLU Foundation of Texas
(512) 478-7300 x 106 or 923-1909; [email protected]
AUSTIN– Although Texas law bans the shackling of inmates during labor and delivery, some counties continue the practice. On Thursday, The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas and the Texas Jail Project (TJP) recommended that the Texas Commission on Jail Standards adopt a minimum standard that “mirrors the law” to increase awareness and compliance in Texas county jails.
TJP Executive Director Diana Claitor told the commission, “Even though the law went into effect in September 2009, we continue to get reports of inmates subjected to this medically dangerous practice that endangers the lives of mothers and their children.”
Claitor said she had received reliable reports indicating that two Dallas County jail inmates were shackled while in labor, and at one point, medical staff had to ask officers to remove the shackles so they could draw blood and perform other procedures.
“This is another step to make sure mothers and their children receive adequate medical care,” said Matt Simpson,ACLU of Texas policy strategist. “The shackling of pregnant inmates is recognized by medical associations and the federal government as a practice that endangers the health of women and children. County jails are not exempt from Texas law which bans the practice. Establishment of a minimum jail standard should result in compliance by law enforcement at all levels.”
The ACLU of Texas and TJP also asked the jail standards commission to provide prenatal care for pregnant inmates, appropriate care for high-risk pregnancies and physician supervised care for pregnant inmates on methadone treatment.
