Public Advocate Jumaane Williams begins testimony on incarcerated pregnancy
Williams thanks the chairs and says pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum needs do not change when a person is incarcerated. He says people in custody must receive timely medical care, mental health support, and dignity.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Morning, as mentioned, my name is Jumaane Williams, Public Advocate for the City of New York.
I want to thank Chair Farias and Chair Brooks-Powers and members of the Women and Gender Equity and Criminal Justice Committees for holding this important hearing and for the opportunity to share testimony.
Pregnancy, childbirth, and the post-mortem.
modern period are significantly physically and mentally demanding, and those needs do not change in any way when a pregnant person is incarcerated.
Those in custody must be able to access timely, appropriate medical care, receive necessary mental health support, and be treated with dignity throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postmodern period.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, ACOG, in particular, have emphasized the importance of incarcerated individuals receiving high-quality, trauma-informed, and comprehensive medical care.