Pregnant prisoner shackled despite failed Senate ban
An incarcerated Indigenous woman was shackled while in labour in a Queensland hospital, with restraints on and off during her caesarean birth.
The woman gave birth last weekend and remained shackled while still in hospital, advocacy group Sisters Inside said. Hospital staff tried to get the restraints removed.
Some even cried as prison staff refused. Queensland corrective services confirmed the incident and said restraints are used only as a last resort on pregnant prisoners.
The birth happened days after Labor and the Coalition blocked a Senate bill to ban the practice. An inquiry heard that some women are shackled on only one leg and one arm, leaving only one arm free to hold their newborn.
Australia signed the Bangkok rules, which forbid restraints during labour, birth and immediately after.
- Sisters Inside
- Advocacy group
- Debbie Kilroy
- CEO
- Lidia Thorpe
- Senator introducing bill
- UN Bangkok Rules
- International commitment
Why it mattersThe practice traumatises pregnant prisoners and their newborns, yet Australia has not enforced its own UN commitments despite clear evidence of harm.
AustraliaAustralian law permits a practice that violates international standards Australia has agreed to follow. Queensland and other states continue the practice despite growing calls for a national ban.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 3 h ago
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