Maybe I am just naive here, but how the hell does one get pregnant in an (I assume) all-women prison? If women are getting pregnant, I say there are more serious issues, like guards forcing themselves on women.

And if a woman is pregnant, why is she being sent to prison in the first place? It seems like we're not tackling the problem at its roots.

In many cases, women arrive at prison pregnant. There's usually a time lag between conviction and sentencing. The woman may not know she's pregnant when she's sentenced and the judge may, or may not, consider it when imposing sentence.

Yes, sexual assault in prisons is a serious problem and prison officials should immediately investigate any pregnancy that begins when a woman is incarcerated.

What a fantastic, encouraging story. At least some judges are being reasonable and supporting reproductive rights. I'll be reading the whole opinion in this case.

Also, way to go to the woman who was willing to take on the fight for all of the women of the prison even after she had been awarded an injunction so she could get her abortion.

Other good news out of MO is that Gov. Matt Blunt will NOT be running for reelection! He said he is not because he believes that he accomplished everything he set out to do. In my opinion the Republican Party knew he wouldn’t get reelected because of how wildly unpopular he is and they wanted at least a chance of having another Republican in office. But it is fantastic that this anti-choice tyrant will no longer be leading the state I now call my home.

Other good news out of MO is that Gov. Matt Blunt will NOT be running for reelection! He said he is not because he believes that he accomplished everything he set out to do. In my opinion the Republican Party knew he wouldn’t get reelected because of how wildly unpopular he is and they wanted at least a chance of having another Republican in office. But it is fantastic that this anti-choice tyrant will no longer be leading the state I now call my home.

Wonderful news from the judges!

Why doesn’t Mr. Blunt use his own body to defend existing human life if he’s so concerned with this level of 'respect'? I am getting so tired of phrases such as “respect for the inherent dignity of each and every life’� and “defend the dignity of human life.�…these aren’t about defending existing people at all, they instead simply refer to the violation and harm of women on behalf of a fetus.

How ironic that Gov. Blunt is so concerned for the dignity of each life...except for women being raped in prison. Or women who decide that a jail cell is not the place, or a good situation, to have and raise a baby in. Their dignity/wellbeing doesn't count.

As a native of Missouri, I am horrifically embarrassed by the current governor. I find it fitting that, even in the wake of his Abortion Task Force, both this judgment that female inmates retainin their right to control their reproductive destiny *and* the 35th anniversary of the Roe v Wade decision fell on the same day he made his YouTube statement about his impending doom--errr, I mean, retirement.

I don't know if anyone on this site read the comments on the KC Star site where the article is posted, but some of those people are downright frightening. The commenters' solutions included forced/secret sterilization and forcing the inmates to pay all termination costs out-of-pocket... In short, the ignorance of my fellow Missourians is boundless.

Interestingly, even those who spoke out against abortion (as a murder of a child of God--yadda yadda yadda) used the misfortune of these women as a platform to bitch about "my tax dollars going to pay for these kids for 18 years." Ultimately, the arguments took into consideration only how the possibility of inmates receiving comprehensive reproductive care would affect ME, and MY GOD. Not the woman forced to carry a child in a hostile environment with limited resources--or her relationship with her OWN god/goddess(es).

35 years after Roe, we're still asking if *all* women deserve equal rights to their own bodies. How sad.

Prayerful?

I am impressed that MO tried to argue that interfering with prisoners' abortion rights was a cost-saving measure.

Because A) how prenatal care plus care during delivery plus finding care for a child after birth is CHEAPER than an abortion is beyond me.

And B) it is awesome that the prison system's alleged concern for saving some expense is so clearly a higher priority than a woman's right to choose to have a child in jail or not!

*sigh*

I am impressed that MO tried to argue that interfering with prisoners' abortion rights was a cost-saving measure.

Because A) how prenatal care plus care during delivery plus finding care for a child after birth is CHEAPER than an abortion is beyond me.

And B) it is awesome that the prison system's alleged concern for saving some expense is so clearly a higher priority than a woman's right to choose to have a child in jail or not!

*sigh*

I am impressed that MO tried to argue that interfering with prisoners' abortion rights was a cost-saving measure.

Because A) how prenatal care plus care during delivery plus finding care for a child after birth is CHEAPER than an abortion is beyond me.

And B) it is awesome that the prison system's alleged concern for saving some expense is so clearly a higher priority than a woman's right to choose to have a child in jail or not!

*sigh*

I am impressed that MO tried to argue that interfering with prisoners' abortion rights was a cost-saving measure.

Because A) how prenatal care plus care during delivery plus finding care for a child after birth is CHEAPER than an abortion is beyond me.

And B) it is awesome that the prison system's alleged concern for saving some expense is so clearly a higher priority than a woman's right to choose to have a child in jail or not!

*sigh*

Or women who decide that a jail cell is not the place, or a good situation, to have and raise a baby in.

Hell. Yes.

Why would anyone think that women in prison are somehow better equipped to care for a child not of their choosing? Is the logic "well, at least she's not homeless?"

I am impressed that MO tried to argue that interfering with prisoners' abortion rights was a cost-saving measure.free online games