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State settles with inmate shackled during labor

by Associated Press

KING5.com

Posted on May 20, 2010 at 8:34 AM

SEATTLE -- The state Department of Corrections has settled for more than $100,000 with a former inmate who says she was shackled while she gave birth in 2007.
  
Casandra Brawley will receive $125,000 from the state to settle a lawsuit. Brawley alleges she was restrained while she gave birth to her son in a Tacoma hospital in 2007.
  
Brawley was serving time for drug possession, possession of stolen property and theft.
  
Cases like Brawley's prompted the state Legislature this past session to pass a new law that bans the shackling of female prisoners during childbirth.
  
Brawley's attorney, Sara Ainsworth, says her client is pleased she is being compensated for what she endured.
  
Corrections Secretary Eldon Vail says his department is committed to improving conditions for mothers who are incarcerated.
 

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Comments: Displaying 1 - 7 of 7

salix said on May 22, 2010 at 11:38 AM

We wouldn't have to give her money if the power-hungry cop used his brains during the labor and delivery and maybe realize a woman in labor would not be a flight risk.

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unhappy said on May 21, 2010 at 7:39 AM

this is a great story, noone got hurt, she lost her baby to cps and went back to prison and we had to give her $100,000... like she would have been a great mother anyway... awesome, what a waste of tax money. that money could have provided teachers in a school... but instead we gave it to convict in prison for NOTHING.

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skime said on May 20, 2010 at 10:23 AM

Crack money!!!!!!

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graycheck69 said on May 20, 2010 at 10:22 AM

Good heavens, are you people for real? Have any of you ever been in labor before? To suggest that there's a flight risk during labor is patently absurd. And to suggest that this is about wanting candles and soothing music is absolutely ridiculous. The practice of shackling a woman while she's in labor is barbaric, pain and simple. In addition to that it's dangerous both to the woman's health and that of the baby being born. The fact that she's a prisoner does not give the state justification to cause her or her innocent child harm. There's simply no good reason to do it, as the majority of other states in the country can attest.

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soaped said on May 20, 2010 at 9:44 AM

I'm sorry, but this is insanity. The woman was a prisoner at the time of her labor and delivery. Apparently the authorities felt she was a flight risk and therefore kept her restrained while she was in the hospital. "Being compensated for what she endured"...Please--she broke the law, was caught, given free room and board by the state and got the birth of her child paid for. PLUS we are giving her $125,000? Sheesh...perhaps if I have another child I should end up in jail first. Then I won't have to pay thousands of dollars for the delivery of my child (even with insurance coverage).

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rainloverinor said on May 20, 2010 at 9:18 AM

I know! If you want a nice peaceful birthing process with soothing music and candle light how about NOT breaking the law and getting tossed in jail while you are pregnant. There is an idea!

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puyallup_leon078 said on May 20, 2010 at 9:09 AM

Heres your $125,000. check and by the way heres your $250,000 bill for child birth. Ya, we take debit.....

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