Policy Resolution LJE-19-01

WHEREAS, across this country, the number of women imprisoned has risen;

WHEREAS, there are issues women face that men do not since corrections tend to focus more on men in prison such as training programs, trustee opportunities;

WHEREAS, women have specific needs that are totally different from male inmates;

WHEREAS, women are forced to purchase healthcare products that are necessary for feminine hygiene along with other healthcare products such as moisturizing soap that is not lye-based, toothpaste, and toothbrushes;

WHEREAS, women should not lose their dignity once they enter a correctional facility and many face male guards who execute pat-downs, strip searches, or body cavity searches without reasonable provocation, as well as enter a housing unit where females may be in a state of undress, in the bathrooms, showers area or medical treatment area, which should not be the case unless there is a medical emergency; and

WHEREAS, many states have rules and regulations related to women’s issues while imprisoned but some still do not.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) should require state corrections department to adopt and update rules relative to imprisoned women that would include, at no cost to the inmate and without requiring a medical permit, healthcare products in quantities that are appropriate to the needs of the women and that these products are provided in the unit(s) that house females;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL encourages efforts to hire more female correctional officers are hired and placed in units with female inmates as costs permit;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL encourages state department of corrections to promulgate rules regarding male correctional officers as it relates to “pat-downs, strip searches, body cavity searches and entrance to women’s units while they are in a state of undress; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NBCSL send a copy of this resolution to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, members of Congress, and other federal and state government officials as appropriate.

• SPONSOR(S): Representative Patricia Smith (LA) and Senator Regina Barrow (LA)
• Committee of Jurisdiction: Law, Justice, and Ethics Policy Committee
• Certified by Committee Chair: Representative Reginald Meeks (KY)
• Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is November 30, 2018
• Ratification is certified by: Representative Gregory W. Porter (IN), President