Shackling Bill Signed Into Law

May 21, 2020 by AFP

AFP praises Governor McMaster for protecting incarcerated, pregnant women

COLUMBIA, SC – Americans for Prosperity-South Carolina (AFP-SC) today praised Governor McMaster for signing H. 3967 into law. The women’s dignity bill forbids shackling incarcerated women during pregnancy, labor and postpartum recuperation.

The bill follows in the steps of the federal, bipartisan First Step Act, which banned shackling pregnant incarcerated women. The grassroots group ran digital ads on the bill and enabled South Carolinians to contact Governor McMaster in support of the bill.

Americans for Prosperity-South Carolina (AFP-SC) State Director Andrew Yates issued the following statement:

“It’s past time South Carolina ended the unnecessarily cruel and barbaric practice of shackling incarcerated women during pregnancy. This bill helps restore compassion and dignity to our criminal justice system. We thank Rep. Nancy Mace for sponsoring this common-sense bill and Governor McMaster for swiftly signing this into law. There’s more work to be done to enact smart-on-crime reforms, but this bill is a great step forward for our state.”

Background:

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