CONCORD, N.H. – Governor Sununu recently signed into law Senate Bill 393, which effectively abolishes the practice of shackling people who are giving birth, in labor, or recovering from childbirth.
Joseph Lascaze, Smart Justice Campaign Manager at the ACLU of New Hampshire, said:
“Before this bill, pregnant women and people incarcerated in New Hampshire were forced to give birth while shackled—which is unimaginable, barbaric, and inhumane—but with Governor Sununu’s signature, New Hampshire has officially abolished this horrifying practice.
“Shackling those who are pregnant or giving birth is dangerous and inhumane and poses an unacceptable risk to both parent and child. This bill will prioritize the well-being of pregnant women and people in the state’s care by ending the practice of shackling, as well as expanding protections for those who are pregnant, in labor, giving birth, and recovering from childbirth.
“We thank each state lawmaker who voted to end this inhumane practice in New Hampshire, and Governor Sununu for signing this bill into law.”
View the ACLU of New Hampshire’s fact sheet on this bill here: https://www.aclu-nh.org/sites/default/files/factsheet-sb393.pdf