Prenatal Care and Pregnancy-Related Accommodations in Indiana County Jails: An Analysis of Inmate Handbooks

Most women incarcerated in the U.S. are of reproductive age (ages 18-44 years), and approximately 3% of women incarcerated in jails are pregnant. However, prenatal care and pregnancy-related accommodations are not standardized across U.S. jails. This study characterized prenatal care and pregnancy-related accommodations described in Indiana County jail inmate handbooks.

A modified legal mapping approach was used to collect and analyze Indiana county jail handbooks. Handbooks were obtained from 56 (60.9%) of the 92 Indiana jails.

Prenatal care or pregnancy-related accommodations were described in 11 handbooks (19.6%). Pregnancy testing was the most commonly available prenatal care service (n=6), followed by formal prenatal care (n=2) and a pregnancy-related specialist (n=1). Pregnancy-related accommodations included dietary modifications (n=4), pregnancy-focused education (n=2) and bottom bunk assignments (n=2), and clothing-related accommodations (n=1).

Prenatal care and pregnancy-related accommodation information in Indiana jail handbooks is scarce. When such information was available, it was neither detailed nor comprehensive. Handbooks serve as a key source of policy information that incarcerated individuals rely on to advocate for their needs and to access available resources. Given the importance of adequate prenatal care, proper nutrition, and maternal psychological support, jails should ensure that information about prenatal care and pregnancy-related accommodation is explicitly outlined in their handbooks.