Legislature Ends Cruel Practice

Mar 10, 2020 by AFP

Grassroots group thanks legislature for banning shackling incarcerated women during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum recuperation

COLUMBIA, SC – Americans for Prosperity-South Carolina (AFP-SC) today praised the Senate for passing H. 3967, a women’s dignity bill that forbids shackling incarcerated women during pregnancy, labor and postpartum recuperation. The bill now awaits Governor McMaster’s signature to be signed into law.

The bill follows in the steps of the federal, bipartisan First Step Act, which banned shackling pregnant incarcerated women.

Americans for Prosperity-South Carolina (AFP-SC) Director of Grassroots Operations Candace Carroll issued the following statement:

“The legislature took the right step in banning shackling of incarcerated women during pregnancy, labor and postpartum recuperation, ending an inhumane practice that 42 other states have already opposed. Restoring dignity and treating people with compassion is a common-sense reform to our criminal justice system. We thank the legislature for passing this bill and we urge Governor McMaster to stop this cruel policy.”

Background:

The American Medical Association has called shackling pregnant women in labor barbaric, medically hazardous, and dehumanizing.