HA Member Stacy Sanchez testimony during Committee Hearing for HB1294
Channel: Hoosier Action
Date: 20/01/2022

Hoosier Action member Stacy Sanchez offers testimony in support of the "anti-shackling bill" House Bill 1294 (Restraint of Pregnant Inmates) during Committee hearing on 1/18/2022. [http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2022/bills/house/1294]

This is an issue of equity and justice. We know that our criminal justice system disproportionately affects poor women and women of color, who are often locked up for low level drug offenses–non-violent officences. We need to move towards a more human, public health approach for the challenges facing our criminal justice system, and this bill is a step in that direction. 

All Hoosier moms deserve dignity in childbirth. Forcing incarcerated women to give birth in chains doesn't make any of us safer - all it does is make childbirth more dangerous for mom and baby. Instead of imposing cruel and inhumane punishments, our limited resources would be better spent ensuring that incarcerated people receive the support they need to recover and re-enter society. All Hoosiers deserve the best possible start to life: no-one should have to be born to someone in chains. 

For more information, visit https://www.hoosieraction.org/priorities.