Lawmaker: Shackles should not be used on pregnant inmates

CARSON CITY — An assemblyman has said it’s time for Nevada to establish that pregnant inmates should not be shackled from the time pregnancy is established through delivery and recovery.

Under AB408, the Department of Corrections would be barred from placing restraints such as belly chains and leg irons once it has been determined a female inmate is pregnant.

Assemblyman Tick Segerblom, D-Las Vegas, told the Assembly Judiciary Committee on Wednesday that the bill would be a preventive measure, prompted by an article he had recently read about the impact such restraints may have on a fetus.

Critics are worried that the bill discounts the reality that pregnant inmates still can be violent. They would like latitude in terms of how they may restrain inmates.

No action was taken on the bill.