Widely-Supported California Bill to End Shackling of Pregnant Women in Prison Faces Possible Veto

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http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2011/10/02/widelysupported-california-bill-shackling-pregnant-faces-possible-veto


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Translation: It would end the use of belly chains, leg irons, ankle restraints and other barbaric shackling devices that are used on pregnant women in jails and prisons across our state. Yes, shackles reminiscent of slavery are still being used on pregnant women as far long as 8 ½ months.

Medical professionals agree that it’s time for a change. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) was so moved by this issue that they became co-sponsors of the bill. ACOG opposes the use of any restraints on pregnant women because it increases the risk of falling and leaving the pregnant woman, whose balance is already compromised, unable to break those falls.

When I tell my friends about the bill, their response is usually a quiet gasp followed by a confused expression because they are in disbelief. “We actually do that?”

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Sadly, we were recently informed of an organized effort by the California State Sheriffs’ Association (CSSA) to convince Governor Brown to kill this bill. As of today, in addition to CSSA, both Alameda and Sonoma County Sheriffs’ Departments sent the Governor a letter identical to that of CSSA’s asking for a veto of the bill. Last year, when then-Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed the same bill (known as AB 1900), he told us it was over a technicality, a concern raised by the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation (CDCR), questioning who was responsible for overseeing the transport of inmates.

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Calif. Sheriffs showing their hatred of women

will Gov. Brown show his hatred of women too? is he afraid of the Sheriffs?

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Jerry Brown would veto this Bill?

I can't see it. No societal benefit, no political benefit.

[LaurenG]

2. What hateful bastards. I just can't roll my eyes hard enough for this.

:eyes: :nuke:

[CarmanK]

3. Amazing how many ways MEN CAN denigrate women and get away with it.

In the name of the law, we the people, these callous, arrogant thugs shackle women at every opportunity. In the jail cells, in the streets in their Southern homes. IN Mississippi and ALABAMA they are now trying to get a woman's body declared PUBLIC DOMAIN by giving person hood to an egg. Ronald Reagan began the very public denigration when he demonized the poor and set up the WELFARE QUEEN as the example of all that is bad about public assistance. And the rest is just the stench to follow: undermining women's right to health care choices, declaring an EGG a person, criminalizing abortion, or drinking booze while pregnant, taking birth control pills that stop an egg's fertilization. The Catholic Charities in BALTO were even bragging about a program that trains women with children for jobs: the women went into the workforce and got an average of $8.00 an hour, but the men they trained and served got $9.50. Good thing we have a minimum wage.