Tragedy unfolds behind the bars of America's jails as pregnant women and their babies are left to suffer in silence. For Chasity Congious, her labor pains began on a cold, hard cell floor, with no doctors, nurses, or clean blankets to comfort her. Her cries for help were ignored, as she was alone in a jail cell, four months into her pregnancy.
The situation is not unique. According to an investigation by Bloomberg Law and NBC News, thousands of pages of legal complaints, medical records, and body camera footage reveal systemic failures that put the lives of pregnant women at risk. These tragedies are often hidden from public view, leaving families in pain and despair.
Congious was arrested during a mental health crisis and gave birth alone in jail. Her baby girl struggled to breathe and died days later due to complications from an untied umbilical cord. The investigation found that this was not an isolated incident but one of many horrific cases unfolding across the country.
In Kentucky, a woman chewed through her umbilical cord after giving birth on a filthy county jail floor. In Georgia, a woman begged for 13 hours to be taken to the hospital before delivering her son in her cell; he died four days later. The investigation also revealed that some women were denied medical treatment or advice during their pregnancies.
The root of this crisis lies in the dehumanization of pregnant women who are often seen as inmates rather than patients and mothers. According to Julia Yoo, a lawyer representing incarcerated women for 20 years, "When staff see their patients as inmates and not as patients and as mothers, this is the result." This stigma can lead correctional workers to dismiss medical complaints and regard them with doubt or contempt.
The investigation found that at least 54 pregnant women have alleged severe mistreatment or medical neglect in jails, resulting in miscarriages, stillbirths, and premature births. Many cases were settled out of court, often with payouts ranging from $200,000 into the millions.
While some states have taken steps to address this crisis by adopting laws that allow shorter sentences or alternatives to jail for pregnant women, such reforms remain rare. U.S. Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove called the findings "shocking and horrifying" and plans to reintroduce a bill aimed at improving healthcare for pregnant women behind bars.
The case of Alyssia Moulton highlights the dangers of unsanitary conditions and limited access to prenatal care, medical providers, and critical medication in jail settings. Her son was born on a cell toilet and suffered from infections and eye problems.
In an effort to reform this crisis, lawmakers are calling for fewer pregnant women to be jailed, particularly for nonviolent offenses. However, the solution remains elusive, leaving families like Congious's still searching for justice and answers.
The situation is not unique. According to an investigation by Bloomberg Law and NBC News, thousands of pages of legal complaints, medical records, and body camera footage reveal systemic failures that put the lives of pregnant women at risk. These tragedies are often hidden from public view, leaving families in pain and despair.
Congious was arrested during a mental health crisis and gave birth alone in jail. Her baby girl struggled to breathe and died days later due to complications from an untied umbilical cord. The investigation found that this was not an isolated incident but one of many horrific cases unfolding across the country.
In Kentucky, a woman chewed through her umbilical cord after giving birth on a filthy county jail floor. In Georgia, a woman begged for 13 hours to be taken to the hospital before delivering her son in her cell; he died four days later. The investigation also revealed that some women were denied medical treatment or advice during their pregnancies.
The root of this crisis lies in the dehumanization of pregnant women who are often seen as inmates rather than patients and mothers. According to Julia Yoo, a lawyer representing incarcerated women for 20 years, "When staff see their patients as inmates and not as patients and as mothers, this is the result." This stigma can lead correctional workers to dismiss medical complaints and regard them with doubt or contempt.
The investigation found that at least 54 pregnant women have alleged severe mistreatment or medical neglect in jails, resulting in miscarriages, stillbirths, and premature births. Many cases were settled out of court, often with payouts ranging from $200,000 into the millions.
While some states have taken steps to address this crisis by adopting laws that allow shorter sentences or alternatives to jail for pregnant women, such reforms remain rare. U.S. Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove called the findings "shocking and horrifying" and plans to reintroduce a bill aimed at improving healthcare for pregnant women behind bars.
The case of Alyssia Moulton highlights the dangers of unsanitary conditions and limited access to prenatal care, medical providers, and critical medication in jail settings. Her son was born on a cell toilet and suffered from infections and eye problems.
In an effort to reform this crisis, lawmakers are calling for fewer pregnant women to be jailed, particularly for nonviolent offenses. However, the solution remains elusive, leaving families like Congious's still searching for justice and answers.
. The lack of care and compassion towards these vulnerable individuals is unacceptable, especially when it results in unnecessary deaths and health complications 
. It's appalling to think that thousands of pages of complaints and medical records have been ignored, leaving families in darkness and despair 
. The systemic failures that lead to this crisis are rooted in the dehumanization of pregnant women, who are often seen as inmates rather than patients and mothers 
. We need to acknowledge the suffering of these women and work towards creating a more compassionate and inclusive system 
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and then wonder why we can't get proper care when we're already in a vulnerable state. it's all about dehumanization and ignoring our basic rights. 
i mean, 54 cases of severe mistreatment?! that's not even a fraction of the actual number, imo... they gotta do more than just pay out some cash to make it go away. we need real change here! 
. I mean, can you imagine bein' stuck in a cold, hard cell with nothin' but your own thoughts and no one to talk to? It's like, what are they even doin' in there? 
It's just disgusting. And what about all the medical neglect? Babies dyin', women miscarryin'... it's just too much 
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. It's so sad that they're seen as nothing more than inmates, not human beings who deserve proper care and compassion. I mean, can you even imagine having your baby on the floor of a jail cell with no medical help in sight? 
And it's not like these cases are isolated - there are hundreds more out there suffering like this 
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. This isn't just a human rights issue - it's a matter of basic dignity and respect 
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. We need to start treating these women with basic human dignity and respect 
. I don't care if it's because they were arrested during a mental health crisis, it doesn't mean they deserve to suffer and die on the inside 
. We need real reform, not just band-aids 
. And btw, what's with all these payouts? $200k is not going to bring back a dead baby 
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this is just heartbreaking... pregnant women in jail, alone with no medical help, it's like a nightmare come true 
54 cases of severe mistreatment or neglect, that's not something you see every day... the root of the problem is dehumanizing them as inmates, treating them like prisoners instead of patients and mothers... it's just so sad to hear that Congious had to give birth on a cold cell floor with no doctors or nurses... and those cases settled out of court, with payouts ranging from $200k to millions... it feels like justice is not being served here 
cant imagine havin to beg 4 medical help 4 13 hrs 
how r we gonna fix dis? less ppl in jail during pregancy 4 shure, but whats the point if they r still neglecting em 
!!! it's like they r treated like inmates r than ppl wth a life hangin out 
! congious case is trageic but its not isolated at all 
