New report details harrowing experiences of pregnant Illinois women behind bars

Bed in an exam room at Planned Parenthood — Many women reported inadequate prenatal care while they were in the care of correctional facilities in Illinois.

Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons

‘Can I get treated like a human at least?’: New report details harrowing experiences of pregnant women behind bars

A new report from the ACLU of Illinois and the Women’s Justice Institute details the poor care pregnant women received in jails across the state.

Many women reported inadequate prenatal care while they were in the care of correctional facilities in Illinois.

Jeff Roberson/AP

By Meha Ahmad

A new report from the ACLU of Illinois and the Women’s Justice Institute found disturbing conditions of pregnant women in jails across the state.

Many women reported they didn’t get prenatal care – like requested doctor visits, vitamins, or even enough food – leading to underweight and risky births for some mothers. Others also reported being separated from their newborns just days after giving birth.

Reset digs into the details of the report, and what access to reproductive and medical care looks like for women in Illinois jails.

GUESTS: Alexis Mansfield, senior adviser at the Women’s Justice Institute

Alliyah Thomas, formerly detained in jail while pregnant

Shannon Heffernan, staff writer for the Marshall Project