An Indigenous woman was shackled to a hospital bed in Queensland last weekend while in labor, according to advocacy group Sisters Inside. The incident occurred days after a bill to ban the practice was blocked in the Senate.
The shackling of an Indigenous woman during childbirth highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment of incarcerated women and raises questions about state and federal responsibilities in implementing human rights standards for prisoners.
An incarcerated Indigenous woman was shackled to a hospital bed in Queensland last weekend while she was in labor, according to advocacy group Sisters Inside. The incident occurred days after a bill to ban the practice of shackling incarcerated women during childbirth was blocked in the Senate. Debbie Kilroy, CEO of Sisters Inside, stated that hospital staff were distressed by the situation and attempted to have the shackles removed. A Queensland corrective services spokesperson confirmed the incident and said it would be subject to an internal review, noting that restraints are only used as a last resort for public safety. Senator Lidia Thorpe, who introduced bills to ban shackling and strip-searching of children, criticized the government and Coalition for not supporting the ban. The government stated that criminal justice is a matter for the states and territories, while Senator Paul Scarr expressed deep concern and pledged to raise the issue with the Queensland attorney general.
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