Former Inmate Sues After Being Shackled During Childbirth
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Updated: 7:32 PM Jun 25, 2009
Former Inmate Sues After Being Shackled During Childbirth
A former inmate who says she was shackled while in labor has sued the state, saying her constitutional rights were violated.
Posted: 7:32 PM Jun 25, 2009
Reporter: Dave Jordan
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A former Washington state prison inmate who says she was shackled while in labor has sued the state, saying her constitutional rights were violated.

Seattle-based women's rights organization Legal Voice filed the
federal lawsuit Thursday against the state Department of Corrections on behalf of Casandra Brawley. She was an inmate at the Washington Corrections Center for Women near Gig Harbor until May 2007.

Brawley said she was shackled by a metal chain around her stomach during transportation to the hospital, then fastened by a leg iron to a hospital bed throughout several hours of labor.

The suit alleges her restraints were removed during an emergency
cesarean section only after a physician insisted, but then were
replaced after the procedure.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Cat Location: Gboro on Jun 27, 2009 at 07:20 PM

Well, if you're knocked up, don't get arrested. Feel no sympathy for her.
Posted by: Lynne Location: Ayden on Jun 27, 2009 at 11:04 AM

I went to a more indepth article on this. She was 4 months pregnant when she began serving her sentence. Not only did they have her in full restraints during transport but the leg restraint during labor (as stated it was only removed during the EMERGENCY C-section because the doctor demanded it), but she was also placed in ankle restraints when she was walked around the hospital during recovery. I have to wonder how much the waist restraint and forced imobility during labor increased the need for the emergency C-section. By their policy did they increase the cost of her treatment? She was also a model prisoner and released 7 months into a 14 month sentence for shoplifting..
Posted by: Wanda Location: Kenansville on Jun 27, 2009 at 07:17 AM

Chris, yes, the policy is in place for a reason. However, the prison officials did not use their common sense. Every decision must be in policy, but one should use sound judgment and good old "common sense" in making that decision. Did you read the article? This woman was transported in full restraints and then a waist chain was placed on her after surgery. A female staff should've said something concerning the childbirth process and how ridiculous it is to have full restraints on a woman whose about to give birth or after birth, duh. Yes, the female prisoner should've been appropriately secured. Come on. This inmate taught the system a valuable lesson about using the gift of commonn sense.
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