Treatment of person in labor and postpartum person in prison and jail. (FE)
Impact
The bill mandates that correctional facilities offer certain healthcare services aimed at the wellbeing of pregnant individuals. These services include pregnancy testing, STI screenings, and access to medication-assisted treatments for those in need. Additionally, incarcerated women will receive educational materials regarding pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting, along with the option to access doula services for support. Such provisions are designed to ensure that the rights and health of these individuals are prioritized, which could lead to improvements in maternal health outcomes among incarcerated populations.
Summary
Assembly Bill 1113 aims to improve the treatment of pregnant and postpartum people in correctional facilities. The bill establishes guidelines that significantly limit the use of physical restraints on individuals who are either in labor or have given birth within three days. Restraints can only be applied under strict conditions, including a substantial flight risk or extraordinary medical or security reasons, thus addressing the need for humane treatment of incarcerated individuals during vulnerable moments.
Contention
While many advocate for the humane treatment of pregnant individuals in prisons, some concerns may arise regarding the implementation of the restrictions on restraints. Critics could argue that the safety of staff and other inmates might be compromised if the measures are perceived as being too lenient. Additionally, the bill places an obligation on staff to continuously receive training on these new requirements, which may raise questions about resource allocation and the overall efficacy of staff training programs in upholding these standards.
In general administration, further providing for State recording system for application of restraints to pregnant prisoners or detainees; in county correctional institutions, further providing for county recording system for application of restraints to pregnant prisoners or detainees; providing for Department of Human Services facilities; and, in miscellaneous provisions, further providing for healthy birth for incarcerated women and providing for restrictive housing prohibited for pregnant or postpartum incarcerated individuals and detainees, for cavity search and inspection restrictions, for training and education requirement, for feminine hygiene and incontinence products and for postpartum recovery.