Thread by @ProgressNowCO

We are so PUMPED to be back at House Judiciary committee to hear HB23-1187 Alternative Sentencing for Pregnant People #copolitics

HB23-1187 will ensure that #pregnant people have the opportunity to #alternative sentencing 🔥

@S2SSisters @elephant_circle

We know that pregnancy is contraindicated towards a #healthy pregnancy & being incarcerated while pregnant is harmful to both the pregnant person and the child - #reproductivejustice is what we are fighting for today #copolitics @elephant_circle @S2SSisters

Correctional facilities are not mandated to track or report pregnancy-related data & most facilities do not have any routine process for collecting such information - another reason why we are saying YES on HB23-1187 #copolitics #leadership #reproductivehealth

the incarceration system continues our countries legacy of separating #families & this bill would mitigate harm done to children who are born in circumstances where their birthing parent is not cared for the way pregnant people need care #copolitics #CoLeg

YES ON HB23-1187 🔥

@elephant_circle & @S2SSisters has brought together an incredible coalition to fight for this bill @colorlatina @ccjrc1 @PPact & multiple #families are here to say YES on 1187
#copolitcs

We are back in! Hearing sponsors @JudyAmabileHD49 & @baconforco are introducing 1187 to us! #copolitics

Rep. Bacon says “pregnancy is a time sensitive process that has many outcomes and variations and that time line doesn’t always fall in line with the criminal justice system”

She continues “lack of treatment can impact the safety of the pregnant person and the safety of those around them… we will be talking about the postpartum time today” says @baconforco

“We have the interest as a state to make safer communities” #reproductivehealth YES on 1187

Follow along and read about the bill, what it does, and tune in to listen here: sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00327/Harmony/…

We are here to say YES to 1187 with @elephant_circle & @S2SSisters & #families & many supporters #copolitics #reproductivejustice

Rep. Marshall asks if the court can already consider #pregnancy for offering alternative sentencing who are pregnant & facing sentencing or charges

There is also a question about data on crimes being committed by #pregnant women or how many ppl this bill would impact

@baconforco answers and says we don’t actually know how many people would disclose - since pregnancy is a private thing, in prison we know 23 says @JudyAmabileHD49 (only) - but, we don’t know how many are in jail that would be impacted

#reproductivejustice YES on 1187

There are multiple panels! @IndraLusero Pam Clifton from @ccjrc1 & many more! @elephant_circle

Camila Richie is testifying 1st - in 2016 she was incarcerated & pregnant & addicted to heroine - she miscarried at 16 wks & with drawled all day after - was spotting & was ignored

Camila continues - she was forced to show proof of bleeding, so she was forced to show proof… she was so abused that she was handed a mop when she was hemorrhaging in front of other ppl & staff and told to clean up

Her story is horrifying. YES on 1187 #reproductivejustice

Pam Clifton is next, she discusses her time in #prison & when she went into labor in prison - she was ignored by multiple staff members, she was told “get back to your unit there are plenty of women down there that know how to #birth babies” #reproductivejustice

YES on 1187

Clifton also says that her care was compared to the OBGYN care of a goat. Clifton’s baby died in utero after induction. Her care was negligent.

She gave birth later to a health baby girl later in life.

Her story is horrifying.

YES on HB1187 #copolitics #reproductiverights

@IndraLusero is next, who became the attorney they are today because they met Pam Clifton a while ago & founded @elephant_circle cause they know 1 case like Pam’s too much & 1 person out of the 14 that are pregnant in prison gave birth last yr IN PRISON

YES on 1187 #copolitics

Prof Fentiman is next - she has focused on criminal law - she says assessing risk is very subjective & it often allows for bias (through her research) to make it more punitive for women and mothers when they are facing charges or sentencing #copolitics #reproductivejustice

There are questions about why 1 yr postpartum is the cut off for deferment and @IndraLusero reminds us of the importance of how every large entity in #maternalhealth recognizes 1 yr postpartum as a milestone to prevent maternal mortality ❤️YES on 1187 #copolitcs

Sonal Patel is testifying & reminding us of all the costs of addressing the negative health implications of incarceration while pregnant & the outcomes of children of incarcerated parents very much relies on the continued connection with their parent #incarceratedparents

She refers to incredible data that shows that visiting and continuing a relationship early on in infancy greatly impacts the long term relationship with children and incarcerated parents #copolitics

that is why its absolutely a YES on 1187 today! #reproductiverights

George Davis is next! #Father, #community leader & consultant says "for those of us that have experienced this process (parenthood) we know how precious it is... the powerful affect of building that bond can greatly improve your start & in #Colorado we are all for a good start"🔥

Katherine from @colorlatina is next! she reminds us of the 4 tenants of repro justice she says "the right to personal bodily autonomy - as we know Black & Brown folks have been used and experienced on for centuries & our communities continue to not feel safe" #reproductiverights

Jack from @PPact is here! he reminds us that 2/3rd of ppl that can be - are pregnant in jail and prison according to the @ACLU

He says "this is an important next set and necessary"

YES on 1187 #copolitics

Next a story is being read by @KaylaQFrawley on behalf of a mom that experienced (w/ in 17 hrs of being detained) who was forced into induction, called a flight risk while having an epidural & a shackle on her ankle while in labor.

YES on 1187 #copolitics

We are hearing from Lauren Smith - Policy Director for @elephant_circle & @S2SSisters

"Black and indigenous are 3 times more likely to die from a pregnancy cause than white women... incarcerated pregnant ppl are offered little to no options for care"

YES on 1187 #copolitics

Hunter Nelson from @ColoradoKidsOrg is next! #copolitics "babies born to healthy moms & ppl tend to be healthy themselves... exclusively breast or chest feeding also improves a life span of health"

YES on 1187 says the kids! #VoteYes

We also have @COHealthAccess testifying on behalf of 1187 next! "jails and prisons see ppl inconsistently dispute many intentions in the best of programs... 1 in 10 women who are admitted to detention facilities get adequate care" #copolitics wow #reproductivejustice

YES on 1187

@JudyAmabileHD49 & @baconforco wrap it up, Rep. Amabile says "what world do we want to live in? can we not do something to make sure that this level of trauma doesn't come to us through testimony yr after yr" #copolitics

YES on HB1187 #reproductiverights

@lorenaforsenate thanks the sponsors for the bill - her testimony really reminds us of how powerful this initiative is "in this committee we get the chance to bring humanity back into a system that degrades it..

I am a yes today & again & again & again" says @RepLorenaGarcia

Chairman @mjweissman concludes "in my last 7 yrs on this committee I have never heard so many terrifying stories and horrifying stories" #copolitics #advocacy

YES on 1187

No - Luck
No - Armagost
No - Soper
No - Evans
all would prefer pregnant ppl in jail

9:4 - 1187 PASSES

@UnrollHelper porfis #copolitics