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Legal Issues Regarding Medical Care for Pregnant Inmates

NCJ Number
232822
Journal
The Prison Journal Volume: 90 Issue: 4 Dated: December 2010 Pages: 417-446
Author(s)
Natalia D. Tapia; Michael S. Vaughn
Date Published
December 2010
Length
30 pages
Annotation
This article examines mothers in prison, highlighting the complexity and detrimental consequences incarceration has for their families and children, focusing on legal issues as they relate to medical care and pregnant inmates.
Abstract
This article examines mothers in prison, highlighting the complexity and detrimental consequences incarceration has for their families and children. It documents the legal remedies available to pregnant prisoners, focusing on their unique medical needs. After reviewing the U.S. Supreme Court's standard for liability, the article explores lower court case law to establish the legal parameters of pregnant prisoners' health care needs. The article concludes that although correctional health care systems have made strides in bringing appropriate medical care to pregnant prisoners, more remains to be done to raise the quality of care to those similarly situated in the free-world. (Published Abstract) Notes and references