The use of shackles or restraints on pregnant women is a common practice in prisons and jails in the United States, but also documented in countries including Australia, Great Britain, and Japan. Shackling refers to the use of physical restraints such as handcuffs, leg shackles, and belly chains on parts of an individuals body. The shackling of pregnant women commonly occurs while they are transported within a facility, transported to a hospital, and/or during and after childbirth. In the United States, pregnant migrants may also experience shackling while in immigration detention facilities.
Though medical professionals concur that pregnant women and babies under correctional custody face unique healthcare risks, custody policies often do not address their health and safety needs. Those in carceral facilities typically lack of routine prenatal care and adequate nutrition. There is also a risk of experiencing physical and emotional abuse, mental health issues, and untreated sexually transmitted infections. Specifically, shackling can threaten maternal and child health by increasing risk of falls, blood clots and other conditions.
