1. Use of Shackles on Incarcerated Pregnant Women.
- Author
-
Brawley V and Kurnat-Thoma E
- Subjects
- Female, Pregnancy, Humans, United States, Pregnant Women, Postpartum Period, Patient Safety, Prisoners, Labor, Obstetric
- Abstract
The United States has the largest population of prisoners worldwide, and profound racial and structural inequities exist within this population. Qualitative and quantitative data suggest that shackling incarcerated pregnant women occurs in the United States despite anti-shackling legislation and recommendations from professional organizations against shackling. Incarcerated women are vulnerable to adverse health outcomes when shackled during labor, birth, and the postpartum period. Because anti-shackling legislation is often nonexistent or not comprehensive, nurses play a critical patient advocacy role. The purpose of this article is to increase awareness of state anti-shackling legislation and deficiencies. We also aim to promote effective state advocacy and meaningful change in clinical practice to improve patient safety and health care quality for incarcerated pregnant women., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest The authors report no conflicts of interest or relevant financial relationships., (Copyright © 2023 AWHONN, the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2024
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