Tomorrow, the New York Civil Liberties Union, the Correctional Association of New York and Women on the Rise Telling HerStory (WORTH) will hold a rally and press conference outside Gov. David Paterson’s Manhattan office urging the governor to sign legislation that would restrict the use of shackles on pregnant inmates during labor and after delivery.

New York is one of the few states that allows incarcerated women to be shackled during labor or while they are being transported to the hospital to give birth. Shackling pregnant women who are in labor unjustifiably endangers the lives of the pregnant women and their babies. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Public Health Association, the American Medical Women’s Association, and the American College of Nurse Midwives vehemently oppose shackling incarcerated women during labor.

Legislation that would prohibit restraints of any kind from being used on pregnant inmates during transport to the hospital for the purpose of giving birth has passed the State Senate and Assembly and is just waiting the governor’s signature. The bill, sponsored by Senator Velmanette Mongtomery and Assemblyman Nick Perry, contains a provision that would allow corrections officials to use handcuffs when a real flight or security risk exists.

What:
Rally calling on Governor Paterson to sign bill prohibiting the shackling of pregnant inmates during labor and delivery

When:
Thursday, July 9 at 10 a.m.

Where:
Across the street from Governor Paterson’s Manhattan office, 630 3rd Ave. – between 40th and 41st streets