The thought of anyone’s wife, daughter, or loved one giving birth alone, shackled, in an unsanitary jail cell is unfathomable. Unfortunately, this is the reality for many incarcerated women. Take for example Shaye Bear, who gave birth to her one-pound, two-ounce son Cashh in isolation at Ellis County Jail in Waxahachie, Texas. Tragically, just nine days after his birth, Cashh died in Cook Children’s Hospital.
We have introduced legislation on the federal and state level to improve care for pregnant women and babies and prevent future tragedies. Women are the fastest growing population in our prisons, yet the system was designed with men in mind. We need to take into account the needs of these women, ensuring the health and wellbeing of pregnant incarcerated women like Shaye Bear, as well as those of babies like Cashh.
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