Bill to prohibit the handcuffing of pregnant women detainees

Handcuffing or shacking of pregnant women prisoners could soon be prohibited under a

bill providing them decent living conditions and regular access to reproductive health care.
Under House Bill 4541 authored by Rep. amuel !agdilao "!arty#list$ %&'#&()$ a
pregnant detainee shall be screened and assessed for pregnancy by any competent public health
authority and shall be informed of any necessary medical tests connected with the pregnancy
screening prior to the administration of such tests.
% pregnant detainee shall receive counseling and written material$ in a form the detainee
or prisoner can understand$ on pregnancy options and the detention facility and prison*s policies
and practices regarding care and labor.
+ikewise$ a pregnant and postnatal inmate shall be provided regular prenatal and postnatal
medical care at the detention facility in which she is housed.
'he bill provides transportation to and from visits to a government hospital or any
accredited hospital and court proceedings during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy or
during post#delivery recuperation for the pregnant detainee.
% pregnant detainee shall receive labor and delivery care in any government hospital or
any accredited hospital of her choice provided that the detainee shall shoulder the cost of the
services$ and shall not be removed to another penal institution for the purpose of giving birth.
,oreover$ a detainee who is in any stage of labor or delivery shall not be placed in
restraints at any time$ including during transportation. 'he correction officer present in the room
during the pregnant detainee*s physical e-aminations$ labor or childbirths$ shall be female.
(n cases where an inmate is restrained$ the leg or wrist restraints shall not be used on a
pregnant or post#delivery detainee. he shall remain in the hospital during post#delivery
recuperation until such time that the attending physician certifies she may be safely discharged
and transferred back to the correction facility.
.etention facilities and prisons housing female inmates shall ensure that at least one
member of the said facility is trained in pregnancy#related care and knowledgeable in prenatal
nutrition$ high#risk pregnancy$ addiction and substance abuse during pregnancy and childbirth
education.
!agdilao said it is public knowledge that detention and prison facilities in the country are
among the worst in the region.
/.ue to the deplorable conditions of our detention facilities and prisons$ pregnant women
in those facilities are more likely to have high#risk pregnancies$ considering that they are likely to
have less access to reproductive health care$0 !agdilao said. "12) lvc
NR # 3509
JUNE 26, 2014