Today the Rhode Island ACLU and seven other organizations have submitted testimony to the Department of Corrections in response to proposed regulations that will implement Rhode Island's new anti-shackling law that the General Assembly approved in June. The law, one of the strongest in the country, was drafted by the Affiliate and generally bars the use of handcuffs or shackles on pregnant incarcerated women.  Among other things, the testimony calls for clarification on the new rules for labor, delivery and recovery and for “medically appropriate” restraints.

The groups who signed the letter include the Rhode Island Affiliate of the ACLU, Direct Action for Rights and Equality, National Council of Jewish Women of Rhode Island, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, Rhode Island NOW, Rhode Island Medical Society, Rhode Island State Nurses Association, and the Women’s Medical Center of RI.