February 09, 2012 - 11:18 pm

 BY JIM NOLAN

A House of Delegates subcommittee on Thursday killed a bill that would effectively prohibit the shackling of pregnant female inmates during labor and delivery.
House Bill 836, sponsored by Del. Patrick Hope, D-Arlington and Del. Jim LeMunyon, R-Loudoun, had received widespread support from women’s rights groups and conservative faith-based groups who often oppose each other on issues such as abortion and adoption. 
The groups had presented documentation of instances in which pregnant inmates in Virginia have been shackled while giving birth, despite Department of Corrections guidelines advising jailors to use the least restraining methods necessary.
The Virginia Sheriff’s Association had opposed the bill, arguing alternately that they do not support the practice and that codifying a prohibition would take away the flexiblity they have under current regulations to take necessary steps to ensure public safety.
That was good enough for the GOP-controlled House Militia and Police subcommittee, which killed the bill, punctuated by the comment Del. Ben Cline, R-Rockbridge.  

Responding to the statement by an advocate that the child of an incarcerated mother has the same value as any other child, Cline said: “Does it show concern for the child for the mother to engage in criminal activity when she know’s she is pregnant? Do you agree choices have consequences?”