This is a gut-wrenching account of women's experiences with birth and motherhood behind bars. The women's stories read like a horror movie, except this was real life in the US of A! A woman's autonomy is stripped from her the moment she begins her sentence: everything from decisions about prenatal care, her diet, right to abort in timely manner. These crucial decisions are decided by bureaucrats and the budget is given careful scrutiny. The stories shared reveal how pregnant women have limited means and resources, leaving them vulnerable to endure abusive relationships; some women see incarceration as a blessing because they at least know they'll get three meals a day and can sober up for a better chance at delivering a healthy baby.
The harshest details were the systematic shackling of women during childbirth. It is offensive and inconceivable that a woman is capable of escape during or after childbirth: they are heavily medicated, left physically exhausted from the birthing process, and the women who have cesarian birth, are in no condition to get up from their hospital bed to escape custody. However, one correctional officer wanted to apply shackles to an inmate who was about to give birth, because the CO, "had to use the bathroom."
The main theme throughout these accounts, is that there is no universal regulation of processes and policies within the penal system and carceral system. Even when there are laws enacted, it is well known that correctional facilities don't adhere to them and since there seems to be no consequence, who's going to stop them?

I really enjoyed reading this book. I told typically read non-fiction but the description of the book interested me. I loved reading about all the interviews with the women & learning about their stories. Gives you a different perspective on what goes on in the prisons.