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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 6. Criminal Justice And Corrections
Agency 15. State Board of Local and Regional Jails
Chapter 40. Minimum Standards for Jails and Lockups
11/21/2024

6VAC15-40-985. Restraint of pregnant offenders.

A. This subsection is intended to apply to the transportation outside the secure perimeter such that inmates known to be pregnant shall be handcuffed only in front, unless an individualized determination is made that the inmate is a flight risk or danger to herself or others, or the totality of the circumstances creates a serious security risk.

1. If an individualized determination has been made, then such inmate will be restrained in the least restrictive method necessary for outside transport. Waist chains/belts shall not be used.

2. If it is deemed more restrictive restraints are needed during transport, security staff shall notify a supervisor as soon as reasonably possible and a use of force report indicating the reason for the use of restraints and type of restraints shall be submitted to a supervisor no later than the conclusion of the shift for review and justification.

B. No restraints will be used during labor and delivery unless an individualized determination has been made that the inmate is a flight risk or danger to herself or others, or the totality of the circumstances creates a serious security risk.

C. This subsection is intended to apply to labor and delivery such that if there is an individualized determination that restraints are needed, the least restrictive alternative will be used in consultation with the medical professional, but restraints shall be immediately removed upon the request of any doctor, nurse, or other health professional treating the inmate if the restraints present a threat to the health or life of the inmate or child. Waist chains/belts shall not be used.

D. If it is deemed more restrictive restraints are needed during labor and delivery, security staff shall notify a supervisor as soon as reasonably practical and a use of force report indicating the reason for the use of restraints and type of restraints shall be submitted to a supervisor no later than the conclusion of the shift for review and justification.

E. This subsection is intended to apply during postpartum recovery while the inmate is in the hospital such that after an individualized determination, an inmate shall be restrained in the least restrictive method (i.e., one ankle restraint or one arm restraint) that will allow for the mother's safe handling of her infant and mother-infant bonding, except where necessary when the inmate is a flight risk or danger to herself or others, or the totality of the circumstances creates a serious security risk. If it is deemed restraints more restrictive than one ankle restraint or one arm restraint are needed, security staff shall notify a supervisor as soon as reasonably practical and a use of force report indicating the reason for the use of restraints and type of restraints shall be submitted to a supervisor no later than the conclusion of the shift for review and justification.

F. All staff shall annually review policy related to restraining pregnant inmates.

G. This subsection is intended to apply to inmates known to be pregnant who are in a facility for medical treatment unrelated to labor and delivery. Such inmates will be restrained in the least restrictive method necessary in consultation with the medical professional. Waist chains/belts shall not be used.

Statutory Authority

§§ 53.1-5, 53.1-68, and 53.1-131 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 16, eff. May 8, 2014.

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