Page 70 - Veritas - 02.03.22

INMATE NEEDS OF

PREGNANT

PRISONERS

Ms. Juel Mariam Mathew

Every person is treated equally before the law. But, when it comes to

people with special needs like pregnant and lactating women, the dis-

abled and people who need medical support, they are given some sort

of special care and considerations according to their physical, social,

and mental wellbeing.

Let’s talk about the special needs given to a woman during her ges-

tation period (pregnancy period) and about the post gestation period

(parturition). According to the NATIONAL EXPERT COMMITTEE ON

WOMEN PRISONERS 1987, pregnant women need to be given special

care and special consideration. These women cannot be given death

penalty until their delivery. Most of their needs are minimally met by

the prison systems, and thus most of the time the mother remains at

high risk due to the unavailability of nursing and other needs.