Isabella Seda of New Hour supports anti-shackling and court postponement resolutions

Good afternoon.

My name is Isabella Seda, and I am the Social Justice Community Organizer at New Hour.

We are deeply grateful for New York City's council members to address the impact of pregnancy on individuals in New York City's criminal legal system.

New Hour is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering justice-impacted women and families across states.

We provide direct service to incarcerated, detained, pregnant, and postpartum individuals in New York and advocate for policy reforms.

We assent to the passage of Resolution 497, which would urge Governor Hochul to sign the anti-shackling bill into law.

We ask that no chapter amendments are made.

The experience of a mother who gave birth in shackles in a Brooklyn courtroom earlier this year and the injustice she endured has brought attention to the issue.

But we recognize that this isn't a unique experience.

Overwhelmingly, women are detained and pregnant and are constantly neglected and abused.

Resolution 498 addresses the postponement to court proceedings for women in late-term pregnancy and early postpartum.

We have been able to see pregnant women subjected to lengthy waiting and holding cells.

They should be able to appear in court without spending an often full day waiting in freezing cold cells.

New York currently postpones court proceedings due to severe illness and medical injury, but not for pregnancy.

The same or virtual court options must be prioritized.

We ask for the broader expansion of the approved diagnosis on postpartum on Resolution 464.

Postpartum psychosis is one of the many possible...

mental health challenges individuals face after birth.

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders include a range of mental health conditions.

For those already sentenced, they must have the right to file a request for an alternative sentencing hearing.

Lastly, with reference to Intro 902, we believe that data collection is necessary.

However, New Hour has witnessed data weaponized against parents in family court proceedings and custody proceedings.

We acknowledge Intro Revolution 902 as an attempt to ensure transparency.

However, health protocols should be established and maintained by health care professionals, not the Department of Corrections.

We ask that City Council approach.

Thank you.

You can finish.

We ask that City Council approach legislation related to maternal health and incarceration with understanding of the challenges people face, rather than create levers of long-lasting negative impact on families, often already over-policed and targeted by misguided legislation.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you so much.