(Apr 18, 2023) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas
HARRISBURG, April 18 – State Reps. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., Tina Davis, D-Bucks, and Mike Jones, R-York, praised the passage of their Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act today in the Judiciary Committee. The bill, which would stabilize how pregnant people are treated in Pennsylvania’s jails and prisons, is now on its way to be heard on the House floor. The Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act (H.B.900), a bipartisan effort that passed unanimously, would prohibit the shackling of pregnant women, solitary confinement of pregnant women and provides for trauma informed care training of corrections officers interacting with pregnant and postpartum women. “While we believe in supporting a system that serves justice, women who are incarcerated face a number of unique issues regarding their heath and the health of their children,” Cephas said. “We have identified a number of best practices, many of which are already in place, that we believe will not only benefit incarcerated women, but their children, family and society as a whole. “Specifically, our bill would provide well vetted provisions at both the state and county levels, with necessary oversight from children and youth services, and limited exceptions where extenuating circumstances and/or capacity constraints prevent safe practice and enforcement, along other requirements.” Cephas explained that the bill would also include three days of post-delivery bonding time between Read more