Sykes Applauds Passage of Bill to Prohibit Pregnant Inmate Shackling

Today, the Ohio Senate voted unanimously to approve state Sens. Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) and Peggy Lehner’s (R-Kettering) bill to prohibit the restraining or confining of incarcerated pregnant women. State Sen. Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) co-sponsored the bill and issued the following statement:

“This bill aligns our laws with our values. Restraining a pregnant woman has been shown to be dangerous to both the mother and child, and I am happy Ohio is one step closer to ending this cruel practice.”