Senate Bill 193, which would prohibit the shackling of inmates in labor, will come before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, April 21. Carried by Sen. Evie Hudak, D-Westminster, SB 193 would ban the use of shackles on inmates during labor, delivery and the postpartum recovery period unless the inmate poses an immediate threat to herself or the medical staff, or represented a serious flight risk.
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony about the bill on Wednesday, April 14, from a cross section of the medical, human rights and law enforcement community, with all witnesses testifying in favor of the bill. Dr. Eliza Buyers, speaking on behalf of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, told the committee that shackling women during labor and delivery creates real health risks for both the mother and the fetus.
Julie Krow, chief operating officer for Addiction Research and Treatment Services at the University of Colorado at Denver and director of The Haven, a halfway house for mothers and babies, read a letter from a former Department of Corrections inmate describing her experience of going through labor in shackles.
The County Sheriffs of Colorado also testified in favor of the bill. Sheriffs are charged with running county jails. The state Department of Corrections has not taken a position on the legislation.
Pamela White, editor of Boulder Weekly, also testified at the hearing, discussing statewide policies about shackling and experiences of individual inmates. White’s investigation into the treatment of pregnant women in prison prompted the bill’s introduction (“Pregnant in prison,” cover story, Feb. 18.)
The committee was unable to take action on the bill last week because legislative staff had not yet had time to analyze the bill’s fiscal impact. The committee will reopen testimony on Wednesday and is expected to vote on the measure.
