Down to the Felt: How Ohio's Lackluster Statutory Scheme Gambles with the Lives of Mothers and Innocent Children.

Abstract

This article examines three facets of the pregnant prisoner prenatal and post-birth care issue. First, it examines the injustice that pregnant prisoners are subjected to. Next, it examines other states' statutory regimes to identify adequate and inadequate features. Specifically, it examines the Pennsylvania regime because of its relevance and reputation for being the most accommodating to these women. Finally, it proposes a statutory regime for Ohio that provides mandatory care standards, means of accomplishing mandatory care, penalties for both the institution and its individual actors when care is not provided--and shows how a statutory regime without these changes puts mothers and their unborn children at risk for poor treatment, even death, like Pamela.