Chair Brooks-Powers opens with need for consistent maternal care in custody

Good morning.

I am Councilmember Sylvina Brooks-Powers, Chair of the Committee on Criminal Justice.

I want to join Chair Fredias and welcome everyone to today's hearing on maternal health and criminal justice.

Pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum period require consistent medical care, appropriate nutrition, access to reproductive health care,

and support for both physical and mental health.

These needs do not disappear when someone enters the criminal legal system.

Pregnant and postpartum people who are incarcerated need the same timely access to appropriate care to protect their health and the health of their children as any other New Yorker.