*Birth Behind Bars* by Rebecca Rodriguez Carey is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between pregnancy, incarceration, and the justice system. In this book, Carey shares the stories of women who have given birth while incarcerated, shedding light on the often-overlooked realities faced by these women. Through her research and interviews, she examines the psychological, emotional, and physical tolls that incarceration during pregnancy takes on both mothers and their children.

The book provides a critical look at the policies surrounding reproductive health and maternal care within prisons, emphasizing how systemic inequalities impact the ability of incarcerated women to access proper prenatal and postnatal care. It also touches on the broader societal issues, such as the criminalization of motherhood, racial disparities, and the cycle of trauma that many of these women experience.

Carey’s writing is compassionate yet unflinching, offering a balanced combination of personal stories, statistical data, and analysis of the institutional practices that contribute to the mistreatment of pregnant women in prison. Her work not only highlights the profound injustices of the penal system but also underscores the need for reform, particularly in terms of how incarcerated women are treated during pregnancy and childbirth.

*Birth Behind Bars* is a powerful call to action, urging readers to reconsider the human rights of incarcerated individuals and to advocate for systemic changes that prioritize health and dignity over punishment. It is an essential read for anyone interested in criminal justice, reproductive rights, and social justice, offering a deep dive into a crucial issue that is often ignored or misunderstood.

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.