Kamala Mallik Kane, MPH, The Urban Institute, 2100 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037, 202-261-5857, kkane@ui.urban.org

Pregnancy and childbirth in U.S. prisons are now more common than ever. The number of female prisoners more than doubled between 1990 and 2002—from 44,000 to over 97,000—and it is estimated that 4% are pregnant at the time of prison admission. When pregnant prisoners are taken to the hospital to give birth, anecdotal evidence suggests that they are often routinely handcuffed and shackled with leg irons in a manner similar to other inmates. A 1999 Amnesty International report decries such practices as human rights abuses unless strictly necessary and calls for Departments of Correction to develop specific policies that are sensitive to the needs of pregnant inmates. However, there is little empirical knowledge about the criminality of pregnant prisoners on which to base new policies. It remains unknown how often the use of restraints is excessive and how often restraints might be justified. Using nationally representative data collected through the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ Survey of Inmates of State and Federal Correctional Facilities, this paper will present a profile of the criminal justice characteristics of pregnant inmates, including their criminal history, the offenses for which they were convicted, and their security classification in prison. Existing regulations about the use of restraints during pregnancy, labor, and delivery will be discussed in relation to this profile. The study findings can then be used to facilitate data-driven policy discussions with corrections officials, weighing the rights and health needs of the pregnant prisoner against any public safety risk she may pose.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Articulate factual information about the size of the female prison population in the United States and know the percentage of that population that is pregnant.
• Describe the criminal justice chacteristics of pregnant prisoners, such as the types of offenses they are convicted of.
• Evaluate the appropriateness of correctional policies related to the use of restraints during pregnancy, labor and delivery in light of inmates' criminal justice characteristics.

Keywords: Prisoners Health Care, Human Rights

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.