Legal news for Rhode Island personal injury attorneys –A correctional facility was sued for failing to release the policies and procedures in regards to pregnant inmates.
Providence, RI (NewYorkInjuryNews.com) –- The Rhode Island state branch of American Civil liberties has sued a Rhode Island corrections facility for withholding information about the treatment of pregnant inmates, according to turnto10.com, announced February 1, 2010.
The branch requested public records regarding the policies and procedures involving handcuffs and restraints for pregnant woman in prison through the labor process, delivering a baby, or recovering after giving birth.
Advocates accused the Rhode Island correctional facility of failure to release information about the procedures. The request for information was apparently denied for security purposes. However, there is a growing awareness and concern for the treatment of incarcerated pregnant woman and advocates who want to pursue changes in policy, reported the ACLU representative.
The National Organization for Women and the Rhode Island ACLU filed the lawsuit in Providence Superior Court seeking information about the policy and a fine. The correctional department believes that that if this policy were released, security could be in jeopardy. The Correction facility did release some information regarding the treatment of pregnant inmates. They are in handcuffs before and after delivery of their baby. They remain handcuffed and restrained to the bed while recovering.
Minimum-security facilities do not handcuff pregnant inmates. Rhode Island advocates are still pressing for a written copy of the policy before they work for change in legislation, which has been requested in other places around the country.
Bridget Hom
www.NewYorkInjuryNews.com