Former Wash. inmate sues state for labor shackling

[almaty 19]

OLYMPIA, Wash. – A former Washington state prison inmate who says she was shackled during childbirth sued the state Thursday, saying her constitutional rights were violated.

Seattle-based women's rights organization Legal Voice filed the federal lawsuit against the state Department of Corrections on behalf of Casandra Brawley, who was four months pregnant when she was jailed at the Washington Corrections Center for Women near Gig Harbor in December 2006.

Brawley said she was shackled by a metal chain around her stomach during transportation to the hospital, then fastened by a leg iron to a hospital bed throughout several hours of labor.

The suit alleges her restraints were removed during an emergency cesarean section only after a physician insisted, but then were replaced after the procedure.

"Yeah, I've made some mistakes and wrong decisions," Brawley said Thursday of the shoplifting conviction that sent her to prison. "But I am still a person and I didn't feel like I should be treated like a caged animal."

In a written statement, Maria Peterson, spokeswoman for the Department of Corrections, said the agency is "dedicated to treating all offenders with respect and dignity and not subjecting them to conditions or circumstances that unnecessarily threaten their safety or well being."

Brawley was released in May 2007.

Sara Ainsworth, an attorney at Legal Voice representing Brawley, said the department violated both the U.S. and state constitutions when it chained Brawley when she went into labor in April 2007.

Ainsworth said Brawley is seeking unspecified damages for emotional suffering, and wants to ensure that the state Department of Corrections stops shackling pregnant women.

"During her entire hospitalization — even though walking is extremely difficult in the first few days after a cesarean section — Ms. Brawley was kept shackled to a hospital bed by the metal leg restraint and guarded by a DOC corrections officer 24 hours per day," the lawsuit says.

While walking the halls of the hospital during her recovery, her ankles were shackled together, which Brawley said was "embarrassing and stressful."

Brawley's attorneys said their client was not a danger to anyone, and was a good inmate who was released midway through her 14-month sentence.

Brawley lives with her 2-year-old son, his father, and their 7-month-old baby in Bremerton.

[almaty 19]

Brawley's attorneys said their client was not a danger to anyone, and was a good inmate who was released midway through her 14-month sentence.

14 months is a rather short sentence and probably was not a violent crime....i have seen inmates in hospitals, for violent crimes, and they were not treated this way...usually had a guard in their room...not shackled

[almaty 19]

wow, i assume sister len and other washingtonians would know something about this>>>>

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I heard something in the news yesterday - I think it is indeed fukced up.

[_Simpson_ 250]

This woman in not exactly known for being a upstanding citizen. Im not so sure I can believe her accounts of this and if I were on the jury I would want to see video or something.

[Peikko 1,575]

I have to laugh or cry at the previous post.

She shop lifted, she was given a sentence. SHE DID NOT DESERVE TO BE SHACKLED TO THE BED DURING LABOUR AND CHILD BIRTH.

She did not make this up.

[_Simpson_ 250]

I have to laugh or cry at the previous post.

She shop lifted, she was given a sentence. SHE DID NOT DESERVE TO BE SHACKLED TO THE BED DURING LABOUR AND CHILD BIRTH.

She did not make this up.

How do you know that she didnt exaggerate the hell out of this??? 14 months for shoplifting, something tells me she has been in trouble before. A woman that will shoplift while she is pregnant in NOT the kind of person I would believe, I need video or creditable witnesses. I think one who would take her word alone is gullible.

[Peikko 1,575]

I am sure they don't bother to keep records of these things, or speak to hospital staff before taking these cases before a court.

[_Simpson_ 250]

I am sure they don't bother to keep records of these things, or speak to hospital staff before taking these cases before a court.

I read nothing about that, there wasnt even a link to the article.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Correct me if I am wrong. According to you logic; since this woman shoplifted - hence she must be a con artist lying piece of scum who deserved to be chained while giving birth -- whicc obviously didn't happen because she is a con artist lying piece of scum.

[_Simpson_ 250]

Correct me if I am wrong. According to you logic; since this woman shoplifted - hence she must be a con artist lying piece of scum who deserved to be chained while giving birth -- whicc obviously didn't happen because she is a con artist lying piece of scum.

No, you blew that out of porportion. Im saying that considering the circumstances I need good evidence. She is a thief and I have very little reason to believe her account of this, I would really like to hear the other side of the story or see what evidence they actually have.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I didn't. You already assume she is -by default- lying.

[_Simpson_ 250]

I didn't. You already assume she is -by default- lying.

Well yes when you lived this sort of life its hard to belive a person when they cry wolf, the burden of proof is on her. Oh and think about the money she will get if she wins, believe me she will exaggerate.

[almaty 19]

i doubt she is lying.,.police get over zealous and jails and prisons are worse

[_Simpson_ 250]

i doubt she is lying.,.police get over zealous and jails and prisons are worse

It will be intresting to see how this plays out.