US EditionTexas Jails Have More than 400 Pregnant Inmates Monthly. The State Is Studying What Happens to Them.
Texas collects detailed data on prenatal care, mental health, and pregnancy outcomes for about 430 pregnant inmates monthly to improve accountability in county jails.
- Last year, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards studied maternal health, recording around 430 pregnant inmates monthly and 42 deliveries between September and November.
- Years of advocacy by Krish Gundu and the Texas Jail Project, along with laws like House Bill 3654, prompted the study of pregnant inmates' health.
- The commission and González’s office said postpartum data and deliveries shortly before entering jail are excluded, as Kaitlin Hickner noted most occurred in hospitals except two cases.
- Advocates say the study could push lawmakers to make data collection permanent, with Krish Gundu hoping it will provide accountability while Rep. Mary González urges patience and prefers to wait for full findings.
- The study positions Texas among the few states with granular jail pregnancy data, but experts warn more detail is needed on pre-term births, trimester timing, and postpartum risks up to 12 months, a leading national expert said.
13 Articles
13 Articles
In May 2018, Ruby McPeters was eight months pregnant when she was admitted to Hood County Prison for violating her parole. Just a month later, the 33-year-old woman, originally from North Texas, died. According to the death report in custody, McPeters was sent back to prison after giving birth to her baby for caesarean section in a local hospital. However, the prison had to move her back to the hospital a few days later, after contracting an inf…
State jails have over 400 pregnant inmates monthly. Texas is trying to understand what happens to them
In May 2018, Ruby McPeters was eight months pregnant when she was booked into Hood County Jail on a probation violation. Just a month later, the 33-year-old North Texas woman was dead.
Associated Press News
Texas jails have more than 400 pregnant inmates monthly. The state is studying what happens to them.
In May 2018, Ruby McPeters was eight months pregnant when she was booked into Hood County jail on a probation violation.
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