Feminine Unity

Tonja’s Thoughts…  November, 2010

The Feminine Spirit in Shackles

A recent article by David Crary of the Associated Press entitled, Report Faults State Prisons’ Treatment of Mothers, has generated thoughts I would like to share.

Although I know that women's prisons exist, I did not think too much about the Feminine Unity behind bars. I will shamefully admit that I had not considered shackled feminine spirits when I began to promote uniting feminine spirits among those of us who are free. I cannot begin to fathom how much a feminine spirit is harmed during incarceration.

As I think further about female prisoners, I will reveal a bit of gender bias and say I agree with the statistics that female prisoners are usually not as dangerous or violent as male prisoners. Males commit most murders, rapes, serial killings, and violent crimes. Personally, I think one of the most unforgivable and horrific crimes a female can commit is to kill her own children. This type of mother is in an extremely dark place emotionally and spiritually. Her feminine spirit is severely scarred. Mental illnesses have been cited in a few of those cases. Thank God that there are a larger percentage of mothers who would not kill their children. Sustaining a healthy feminine spirit is crucial for mothers before, during and after birth. Being a mother is one of the greatest and most miraculous experiences on Earth since it is mothers who give birth to all of us who exist. Pregnancy and childbirth are joyous occasions that are not always easy, even when you have the power to make choices.

Now, imagine being pregnant and standing before a judge who is sentencing you to prison. Pregnancy does not make a woman exempt from incarceration. Her freedom is gone. Her power to choose where and how to give birth are no longer options, so her feminine spirit will begin to diminish. She will have added stress, despair, fears, and health risks. According to the National Women’s Law Center and The Rebecca Project for Human Rights, many incarcerated women are not receiving proper prenatal care and they are being shackled during childbirth. Yes, shackled during one of the most strenuous and painful events some women will ever endure.

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that if there was a poll taken of women who have gone through childbirth, I would bet that many would say they would not have the energy and zest to endure labor pains and push out a baby while simultaneously overpowering armed guards, jumping up from stirrups, and running to scale a wall with a dangling umbilical cord. So, why are mothers being shackled during childbirth? This sounds like cruel and unusual punishment considering it would seem unlikely that the average woman could pose a serious threat during childbirth.

Some states are decreasing the barbaric practice of shackling during childbirth since some mothers have taken a stand. One mother from Arkansas claimed she had lasting injuries after being shackled to a hospital bed during childbirth while she was imprisoned for credit card fraud. Credit card fraud and she was shackled? Shouldn’t the crime be an indicator of how much of a threat the criminal could be? I do not work in the prison system or law enforcement, so my assessment of the danger level of a white-collar criminal giving birth may not be accurate. The spirit is within, but the outer physical pain of trying to breathe, push, and bring life into this world while shackled sounds inhumane and very damaging to the feminine spirit.

I would like to switch our focus from the imprisoned mother to the unborn child. The unborn and innocent child who has not had an opportunity to sin or do wrong will be born into imprisonment. This is an ill-fated way to enter the world, but fortunately the child will not remember when or where they entered the world. I ponder how many people -- men and women -- may have been born to an imprisoned mother. Unlike the child, the mother will always remember when and where she gave birth. Her feminine spirit will probably feel like it went through a wood chipper or meat grinder. I’m trying to conceive the mental affliction that is bestowed upon a child born to an imprisoned mother with a bruised and harrowing feminine spirit.

I hope the AP article and report about the horrible conditions of no prenatal care, no HIV/AIDs testing, and shackling during childbirth of incarcerated mothers will garner the attention it needs to force state prison systems to make humanitarian changes to provide good mental and physical healthcare for incarcerated mothers and children. The effects of a negative feminine spirit can be passed onto to their children. The women may also re-enter society where their feminine spirit should be free and clear to absorb the positive energies that will await them as they integrate back into our communities.