Resistance Behind Bars: The Struggles of Incarcerated Women

Click here for a video of Shawanna Nelson speaking on her experience of being inhumanely chained and denied pain management during the delivery of her son Jordan in 2003. As a result of her experience she brought suit against the Arkansas Department of Correction and the CO who chained her. In 2009, the United States Court of Appeal 8th Circuit ruled, based on the 8thAmendment,that Nelson was a victim of cruel and unusual punishment. Her rights as were constitutionally violated and the court is quoted as saying “the shackles interfered with Nelson’s medical care, could be an obstacle in the event of a medical emergency, and caused unnecessary suffering at a time when Nelson would have likely been physically unable to flee because of the pain she was undergoing and the powerful contractions she was experiencing as her body worked to give birth.”

WE NEED YOUR VOICE! ALL CALL FOR MIDWIVES,DOCTORS, NURSES, DOULAS,MEDICAL Practitioners to TESTIFY!

Right now HB653 is housed in the State Institutions and Properties committee of the GA state legislature. As of now a tentative hearing is being scheduled for February. We need your voices! We feel the expert testimony of medical professional, who can give a first hand account of shackling from a care givers perspective, will be crucial is getting the bill passed.We need ALL nurses, doulas, mid-wives, doctors and OBGYN staff to speak out! We’re looking for at LEAST 4 medical staff who have witnessed shackling first hand, willing to testify at the hearing. I’m looking for at least 4 more to attend regardless of first-hand experience. Those who wish to remain anonymous or who cannot attend the hearing are urged to submit written statements of their experience. Staff at Grady and Atlanta Medical are great folks to ask if you know any one who works there.Please pass this along even if you don’t know anyone..someone who’s following you might!

*Also seeking out mothers who were incarcerated or family/friends/partners who have a loved one who is currently incarcerated that has experienced giving birth while incarcerated at a county and local facility. Your voice is even more CRUCIAL!

Thank you so much for helping get the word out. There is an event coming up at Georgia State University February 13th.