Pregnant Women Face Prison Sentences as Republicans Push to Criminalize Pregnancy Outcomes Nationwide

Republicans Push to Criminalize Pregnancy Outcomes Nationwide A new book, "Birth Behind Bars," by Rebecca Rodriguez Carey, provides a rare glimpse into the lives of pregnant women in prisons, highlighting the devastating consequences of a growing trend: Republicans' efforts to criminalize pregnancy outcomes nationwide. According to Carey's research, women are the fastest-growing population of incarcerated individuals. If conservatives succeed in their push for laws that treat fetuses as full rights holders and abortion seekers as homicide perpetrators, more pregnant women will be imprisoned. This would disproportionately affect Black women and Latinas, who already face higher incarceration rates than white women. The trend is part of a broader effort by conservative lawmakers to restrict reproductive rights since the Supreme Court's 2022 overruling of Roe v. Wade. A report issued last month by Sen. Jon Ossoff's office alleged that officials are targeting pregnant immigrant women under President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. Carey, who conducted extensive research on the experiences of pregnant women in prisons, notes: "The system is designed to punish and control, rather than support and care for these women." She adds: "We're seeing a disturbing trend where politicians are using pregnancy as a way to exert power over women's bodies." In states like Alabama and Georgia, lawmakers have introduced bills that would treat abortion as homicide. These laws would likely lead to more women being imprisoned for seeking abortions or experiencing miscarriages. The push to criminalize pregnancy outcomes has sparked outrage among reproductive rights advocates. "This is a war on women's autonomy," says Dr. Jamila Taylor, director of the Economic Policy Institute's Racial Equity and Justice Initiative. "We're seeing a coordinated effort to restrict access to abortion and punish women for their choices." The trend also raises concerns about racial disparities in incarceration rates. According to the Sentencing Project, Black women are incarcerated at a rate 2.5 times higher than white women. Latinas are imprisoned at a rate 1.4 times higher. As lawmakers continue to push for restrictive laws, advocates are calling on policymakers to prioritize support and care for pregnant women, rather than punishment. "We need to focus on addressing the root causes of incarceration, such as poverty and lack of access to healthcare," says Carey. "This is a matter of human rights and dignity." The book "Birth Behind Bars" offers a powerful exploration of the experiences of pregnant women in prisons, highlighting the urgent need for policymakers to prioritize support and care over punishment. Background: The number of incarcerated women has increased by 30% since 2000. Black women are imprisoned at a rate 2.5 times higher than white women. Latinas are imprisoned at a rate 1.4 times higher than white women. Additional Perspectives: Dr. Jamila Taylor, director of the Economic Policy Institute's Racial Equity and Justice Initiative: "This is a war on women's autonomy." Rebecca Rodriguez Carey, author of "Birth Behind Bars": "We're seeing a disturbing trend where politicians are using pregnancy as a way to exert power over women's bodies." Current Status and Next Developments: Republicans continue to push for laws that treat fetuses as full rights holders and abortion seekers as homicide perpetrators. Advocates are calling on policymakers to prioritize support and care for pregnant women, rather than punishment. The book "Birth Behind Bars" offers a powerful exploration of the experiences of pregnant women in prisons. *Reporting by Motherjones.*