Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee

I believe that pregnancy is a critical time for both the pregnant person and the infant. It is a time where we should be demonstrating care, gentleness, kindness, and patience toward the pregnant person. Right now, people who are in prison and pregnant are subjected to practices of control and security that put the safety of the pregnant person and the infant in harm’s way. In order to stop cycles of trauma and create the healthiest environment possible, I am asking you to support Senate Bill_____. By doing so you:

Support the unshackling of pregnant people.

Support creating a birthing experience conducive to health and well-being for the parent, the infant, and the loved ones of the incarcerated person.

Support skin to skin contact and parent bonding.

Support breastfeeding of infants the best medicine for vulnerable new humans.

Support patient-centered care.

In addition overcrowded conditions at the one women’s prison in Michigan, lead to many difficulties for the people living there and the staff who work there. I believe that community oversight is a service toward the public good. I want our prisons monitored by outside oversight mechanisms that lead to better conditions and more state transparency and accountability. My tax dollars help fund these caged places. It is our right as the public to have representatives with clear expertise and experience from the public monitor and recommend solutions. Please support the Community Advisory Oversight Bill. We need this in place to make sure that the pregnancy bill is enforced.

Sincerely,

________