KARE 11 Investigates: DOC and jails fail to report pregnant inmates shackled

[iemanja]

The case of a woman shackled while in active labor was not reported to the legislature as required by law – part of a pattern of underreporting.

Innocent, terrified and in labor at the Hennepin County jail, a woman who was 9-months pregnant felt treated like a dog when her jailers took her to a hospital in shackles, in a case first reported by KARE 11....

Use of restraints on pregnant inmates in Minnesota is illegal – only allowed in isolated circumstances for legitimate safety and security needs, an exception that did not apply to Sara.

“She is in active labor, she is not running away,” said Rebecca Shlafer, research director for the Minnesota Prison Doula Project who advocated for the anti-shackling law.

https://www.kare11.com/article/news/investigations/cruel-and-unusual/kare-11-investigates-doc-and-jails-fail-to-report-pregnant-inmates-shackled/89-7f4099e7-8078-4bb6-871c-3ad72776ce39

Video with more info at the link. The police executed a search warrant on her home for a shoplifted snowblower. Turns out that neither she nor her husband had taken the snowblower. The husband didn't realize the people at the door were police, he fired his gun and police fired back. Fortunately, no one was hurt. Then they announced they were police. (They may have announced earlier but the couple was asleep). The wife, 9 months pregnant and in labor, was taken into custody but never charged. Kare 11 calls it a "misunderstanding."

Multiple women have been subjected to illegal shackling, as the article goes on to say.

Oh, and she was black.