On Friday the AP reported on the frightening state of female inmates' access to reproductive rights. In particular, a case in Phoenix, Arizona has been drawing national attention.

Turns out that the anti-choice Sherriff of Maricopa County, Joe Arpaio, is refusing to transport pregnant inmates to abortion clinics unless they obtain a court order. He claims that he doesn't "run a taxi service from jail to an abortion clinic and back," and feels that he should have the right to stop these women from accessing abortions. (Did I also that this is the same asshole who gained notoriety a couple of years back "for putting inmates on chain gangs and issuing them striped uniforms and pink underwear." Ugggggh.)

Luckily, the ACLU of Arizona is fighting back, arguing simply that "abortion is a constitutional right that does not disappear when a woman is sent to jail." ACLU Attorney Angie Polizzi explains that they are challenging Arpaio's court order mandate, because, "This is a very unreasonable policy, and it's a burden." No shit.

The original case that sparked the ACLU's involvement was brought by an inmate who tried twice to get a court order for a ride to an abortion clinic. The inmate had prepaid for the service at a local clinic and only required transportation. Eight weeks of legal battle ensued before she was able to gain the right to transportation, placing her in her 14th week of pregnancy. After she finally obtained her abortion she filed this lawsuit.

To learn more about female inmates disturbing lack of reproductive rights in prison, click here.

Oh yeah, and check out Anyone BUT Joe Apairo to learn more about evil Sherriff Arpaio.