Posted: | August 13, 2018 04:48 PM |
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From: | Senator Stewart J. Greenleaf |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Dignity for Incarcerated Women |
I am introducing legislation to improve the treatment of incarcerated women in Pennsylvania. First, the measure would prohibit the use of restraints and restrictive housing during the duration of the pregnancy, labor and postpartum recovery. Use of restrictive housing and restraints on incarcerated pregnant women is extremely dangerous to the health of mothers, fetuses, and infants. Second, the bill reserves invasive body cavity searches of pregnant inmates to certified healthcare professionals unless the correctional officer has reason to believe that the inmate is concealing contraband. In such case, the correctional officer must submit a written report to the Department of Corrections (department) within 72 hours following the search, contain the justification of the invasive search and what contraband, if any, was recovered. Third, the proposal provides that the department shall, to the greatest extent possible, after accounting for security and capacity factors, place female inmates within 250 miles of their permanent address of record and promulgate rules regarding visitation of female inmates by minor dependents. The proposal also directs the department to establish a pilot program authorizing overnight visits for children under the age of ten. Fourth, it would look to limit, to the greatest extent possible, inspections by male correctional officers where a female inmate is in a state of undress. In addition, the measure provides that the department ensure that sufficient feminine hygiene products are available at each facility for all incarcerated women. Finally, the measure would require the department to provide to all correctional officers who have contact with pregnant inmates with training related to the physical and mental health of pregnant inmates and fetuses, including general care of pregnant women as well as the impact of restraints and restrictive housing on pregnant inmates. Also, the department shall provide educational programming for pregnant inmates related to prenatal care, parenting skills and general health of a child. |
Introduced as SB1252