Thread by @ScottHech

I need you to read & share this.

A story about a mother *this week.* forced into a cage in Houston, TX. 8 months pregnant. When her water broke guards discarded her on the street. Thankfully advocates were there to get her help. Gave birth that night. “Pro-life.”

Testimony:

The following is testimony of Krish Gundu (@kinsngops). Head of Texas Jail Project (@TxJailProject). Her team saved this mothers life. Gave this testimony w/ moms permission. She would’ve herself but too traumatized. At a hearing to give *more* money to jails.

Trigger warning:

Good afternoon Commissioners & Judge Hidalgo,

My name is Krish Gundu. I am the co-founder & executive director of Texas Jail Project. 

But today I am here to speak as a tax paying citizen of this county and Precinct 4. 

And more importantly as a mother.

I want to share a story, more like a nightmare, that unfolded in front of us outside Harris county jail Thursday. A story that perfectly encapsulates the intersection of community & maternal health, abject failure of the jail & the costly waste of their actions.

Carol (not her real name) was 8 months pregnant when she was arrested on a misdemeanor warrant. In an already overcrowded jail where 22 people have died in custody this year, she sat in the booking area on a chair for 3 days before she could be processed.

Carol had no access to timely food, water, showers or medications.

Carol was eventually released last Thursday, two hours after her water had broken. Yes, her water had broken. With no phone, not a dollar on her, she was sent out in obvious distress. 

How do we know this?

My team (@TxJailProject) was the first to meet her. They gave her water, food, phone calls and a ride while I called all the doctors I knew to organize her care at a nearby hospital. She gave birth later that evening. The baby was breech.

If law enforcement budgets had any correlation to safety, Harris county would have its lowest crime rate in history. For too long, systems of punishment have hijacked our county’s resources at the expense of meaningful public safety.

To folks in this court who are considering supporting increases to Constables' budget, please remember Carol. And her baby who's fighting for its life in the hospital. Carol needs supportive housing, baby formula, medical care.

But most of all, Carol and all the other moms in this county, like her, and I, need to know that you're here to protect us and our children.

And Commissioners Cagle & Ramsey, I hope you enjoyed your golf game yesterday while we were out here with our community, fighting for our basic needs.

Thank you for listening.

Krish wanted to give the above testimony in person. She was there before the Commissioners. She started telling Carol’s story and they cut her off. Told her to submit her story in writing. She asked for 30 more seconds. They said “15.”

22 people have died in Harris County (Houston) jail just this year. They cage people who are pregnant. Mental health issues. Veterans. People w/ disabilities. So crowded, they shipped hundreds off to private jails in Louisiana and other parts of Texas

What happened to Carol — and the various forms of state violence happening to thousands in Harris County TX jail is happening despite what we know: Freedom not only is good for families & health, but it maximizes safety too. bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

The most extraordinary advocates at Texas Jail Project (@TxJailProject) are fighting right now in Houston against armed cops & jail guards to beg the County Commission not to reward them for the violence & death they're causing inside & out of jail.

https://twitter.com/kinsngops/status/1579869176273195009

Follow for updates:

https://twitter.com/txjailproject/status/1582094972416712704