AP: Mo. Must Allow Inmates to Have Abortions

[Eugene]

Mo. Must Allow Inmates to Have Abortions


Wednesday July 19, 2006 5:46 AM

By JIM SALTER

Associated Press Writer

ST. LOUIS (AP) - The state must allow pregnant inmates to have abortions and
transport them to facilities that perform the procedure, a federal judge ruled
Tuesday.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple applies to all female prisoners
in Missouri. In October, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the state had to allow
a specific inmate, listed as Jane Roe, to have an abortion.

The American Civil Liberties Union then sought a federal ruling making the high
court's decision a class-action on behalf of all imprisoned pregnant women
in the state.

Tuesday's ruling reaffirmed two principles, ACLU attorney Tom Blumenthal said:
"The rights of prisoners to their constitutional rights while they are incarcerated
and the rights of pregnant women to have the choice as to whether they will carry
(pregnancy) to term or not."

<snip>

Full article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-5960343,00.html

[Lars39]

1. Excellent news!

That governor is a jackass.

[Erika]

2. Yes.

Thought they were going to say the woman must bear the child and give it to an elitist.

[union_maid]

3. What elitist?

How many of them are anxious to adopt the baby of a prisoner, who is likely to be a member of a minority group? I'm guessing not so many.

[noonwitch]

4. There are always people who will adopt newborns of any race

It's once they are over 2 that it's more difficult to find adoptive homes.

[rocktivity]

5. Here's A DU thread from last October

Mo. Prison Overruled on Inmate Abortion

A federal judge ordered Missouri prison officials to drive a pregnant inmate to a clinic and let her get an abortion...

Under a policy adopted in July, Missouri's prison system does not provide transportation or security for inmates seeking abortions. The policy is based on a state law that prohibits the spending of public funds "for the purpose of performing or assisting an abortion not necessary to save the life of the mother."

...U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple ruled Thursday that the prison system is blocking the woman from exercising her right to an abortion.

:headbang:
rocknation