The tragedy of pregnant women in prisons around the world

Human rights reports have shown that pregnant women in prisons around the world face miserable conditions that threaten their lives and the lives of their children.

In El Salvador, human rights activist Dina Hernandez spent her last period of imprisonment while pregnant, before her family was informed of the death of her newborn without an official investigation to determine the cause.

According to The Guardian, organizations such as Women Beyond Walls andCristosal She points out that prisons often lack medical care and basic resources, experience extreme violence and overcrowding, and restrict women during childbirth, sometimes leading to miscarriages or the death of babies.

UN international rules, incl Bangkok rulesstates that imprisonment should be the last option for pregnant women and that their rights be respected during childbirth, but in reality these rules are often broken.

In countries such as Brazil, Argentina and Sierra Leone, authorities have begun to adopt alternative policies, such as release under house arrest or deferred sentences, to reduce harm to pregnant women.

Experts stress that the majority of pregnant women should not be in prison, calling for investing in community solutions to address the reasons why women enter the judicial system, such as poverty, violence, and drug abuse.