Tennessee Senate passes bill limiting shackles on pregnant inmates

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee lawmakers are advancing a invoice strictly limiting the shackling of pregnant inmates.

It’s been over a decade since Juana Villegas gave start whereas shackled in a Nashville jail. Now, two lawmakers from Memphis try to forestall different ladies from struggling the identical expertise.

Consultant Karen Camper and Senator Raumesh Akbari are sponsoring a invoice that might usually prohibit restraints of a pregnant inmate. Extra particularly, a pregnant inmate’s ankles, legs or waist couldn’t be shackled throughout labor or supply.

It additionally wouldn’t enable a pregnant inmate to be shackled behind the again or to be hooked up to a different inmate.

“We would like protected and wholesome pregnancies for each mom and youngster,” stated Sen. Akbari. “By proscribing the damaging and inhumane apply of shackling incarcerated ladies who give start whereas in correctional custody, we’re selling higher being pregnant outcomes.”

Some exceptions would enable restraints on a pregnant inmate who’s a flight threat, poses a menace to self or others or has a classification stage requiring shackles. In these circumstances, the invoice says solely the least restrictive restraints mandatory must be used.

The laws nonetheless wants a Home vote.