Pregnant Woman Forced to Give Birth in York Correctional Institution Cell Raises Serious Concerns about Treatment of Pregnant Incarcerated People

HARTFORD – The Connecticut Department of Correction today announced that a pregnant incarcerated woman gave birth in a prison cell at York Correctional Institution in Niantic on February 13. The following is a joint reaction from the ACLU of Connecticut, Connecticut Bail Fund, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, and SWAN (Sex Workers and Allies Network):

“It’s unconscionable that Connecticut’s prison employees left a woman to give birth in a prison cell without medical care or help. No pregnant person should have to endure that kind of inhumane and potentially dangerous treatment. This story reinforces existing concerns about Connecticut’s treatment of pregnant people who are incarcerated. Today’s news shows the need for a comprehensive statewide law to protect pregnant incarcerated people’s health, human rights, and safety, and to ensure Connecticut prisons and jails uphold their Constitutional obligation to provide incarcerated people with the medical care they need.”