Banning shackles, more visitations, part of Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act

by

Desare Frazier

• Published on April 22, 2021 • Last modified on April 21, 2021 • Comments

Women learning cosmetology at Central Miss. Correctional Facility, Rankin, Co.
Miss. Department of Corrections website

More than 1,450 women are housed in Mississippi prisons according to the state department of corrections. An advocate is applauding a law recently signed by the governor that addresses the treatment of incarcerated women.

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No more restraints for pregnant women 30 days after giving birth, newborns can be with their mothers for 72 hours, and children under 18 may visit them twice a week; those are some of the provisions in the new Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act. Pauline Rogers is with the RECH Foundation and advocates for the families of those who are incarcerated.

“Oh it is a huge piece of legislation and it should have already taken place because every woman wants to be treated humanely and with dignity. And being shackled while you’re pregnant is not humane and it doesn’t give you any dignity or respect and you’re certainly not a threat to security when you’re in that position,” said Rogers.

Republican Representative Nick Bain of Corinth, chairs the Judiciary B Committee and advocated for the legislation. He says Burl Cain, the commissioner of the state department of corrections who came on board last year, is working to change attitudes within the prison system.

“I think this goes along the lines of Commissioner Cain’s whole mindset about showing compassion, about giving people the dignity and integrity that they deserve. So I think it’s just a new mindset for the way that we do things,” said Bain.

The new law also includes providing training for staff who work with pregnant inmates, when possible housing them within 250 miles of their permanent address and ensuring feminine hygiene products are readily available. The Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act takes effect July 1.