Council Member Narcisse asks about shackling and de-escalation
Narcisse says legislation since 2009 prohibits shackling pregnant women and asks how many have given birth restrained. Chard says DOC has no such cases and describes intensive de-escalation before any last-resort restraints.
Shackling.
We don't shackle pregnant women, do we?
Since 2009, we passed, there's legislation that passed.
Can you tell me how many women in DOC or even NYPD custody have given birth while restrained since then?
Sure, thanks for the question.
Yeah, I can't speak for NYPD, but I do know that as far as DOC goes, there have been no women.
Good to hear.
For instance,
If the person agitated, what kind of approach do you take?
So in the case that someone is pregnant or is eight weeks postpartum and they're exhibiting concerning behaviors, obviously this is a challenging time and that can happen.
Staff would engage in some pretty intensive de-escalation, trying to calm the individual down.
There are additional staff members assigned explicitly so that restraints aren't utilized.
It is really only as an absolute last resort when there is a situation that arises that imminent harm can come to the person or someone else.
So at that point, it's a safety determination.
Thank you.
Thank you for your time.
Cheers.
Thank you.
Thank you so much, Council Member Narcisse.
Just a couple more questions before we move to the next panel.