Prisoner allegedly shackled, separated from newborn after C-section
Nurses and midwives at Townsville Hospital told officials of their concerns. (ABC News: Tom Edwards)
In short:
Queensland Corrective Services officers allegedly restrained a prisoner after she gave birth via C-section earlier this month.
A spokesperson says the woman's care is under review and that restraints on pregnant prisoners are only used as a last resort.
Advocates are calling for a ban on the use of restraints in pregnancy, childbirth and post birth.
An Indigenous woman has allegedly been shackled and separated from her newborn baby at a north Queensland hospital.
The woman delivered her baby via caesarean section at Townsville Hospital on October 10 while in custody.
Prison officers allegedly restrained her in the maternity unit following the birth while her newborn was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit.
Nurses and midwives involved in the care escalated concerns about the use of restraints to Queensland Corrective Services (QCS).
A QCS spokesperson said it was reviewing the management of the patient because "restraints are only ever used as a last resort on pregnant prisoners".
The woman was not restrained during labour or surgery.
Minister for Corrective Services Laura Gerber said she had been briefed by her department on the incident.
"A pregnant woman can only be restrained as a last resort due to public safety," she said.
"In this instance … the woman was not restrained during the delivery of the baby."
Laura Gerber says she has been made aware of the incident. (ABC News: James Tugwell)
The investigation comes as Queensland MP Jonty Bush this week launched a petition to prohibit the use of restraints on women during labour, childbirth and immediately after birth.
Queensland Nurses and Midwives' Union assistant secretary Fridae King said the union strongly opposed shackling during childbirth and labour.
"The use of restraints during labour and birth is traumatising and may compromise care," Ms King said.
"There must be a national prohibition on the use of restraints in pregnancy, childbirth and post birth, and the upholding of the human rights and dignity of women."
'What does last resort mean?'
Townsville-based female prisoner advocate Tahlia Isaac said prison officers made a "values-based judgement" when deciding to restrain prisoners.
She said that in her experience working with female prisoners, restraints had never been used as a last resort.
"They're saying it's used as a last resort, but what does it actually mean?" Ms Isaac said.
"It's up to the individual officer's determination as to whether it's an exceptional circumstance."
Tahlia Isaac wants to see a ban on restraining pregnant prisoners during childbirth. (ABC News: Emily Anderson)
She said there were psychological impacts on the child if their mother was restrained.
"The child is trying to bond with its mother," she said.
"The impact that has on the child … it can last for years."
Last week in the Senate, Labor and the Coalition voted down Victorian senator Lidia Thorpe's bill prohibiting shackling during childbirth.
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