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EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 4 P.M. EDT
FINALLY, SOME NUMBERS ABOUT PREGNANT WOMEN IN PRISON
WHAT: A telebriefing will be held to discuss findings from a first-of-its-kind report on pregnancy statistics of incarcerated women.
WHY: Currently there are no guidelines for prenatal health and maternity care for incarcerated women in the U.S., and the number of women who give birth in prison every year is unknown. Now, for the first time ever, the Pregnancy in Prison Statistics (PIPS) project—headed by Carolyn Sufrin, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of gynecology and obstetrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine—has validated data that will better inform policy makers, other researchers and public health practitioners regarding improvement of maternal health outcomes for pregnant women behind bars and their newborns.
The study authors, who are part of the PIPS project out of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, say U.S. federal agencies have never known exactly how many women are pregnant and give birth while incarcerated until this current study. While this does not address how and whether sufficient pregnancy care was administered to the women, the researchers say that having concrete numbers is the first step toward developing formal guidelines for maternity care in the U.S. prison system.
WHEN: Thursday, March 21, 4 p.m. EDT
CALL-IN INFORMATION: Members of the press who are in the United States can participate via telephone by dialing (800) 230-1085; click here for a list of international access numbers. The conference ID number is 465592. A moderator will manage reporter questions.
WHO: Carolyn Sufrin, M.D., Ph.D., study lead and assistant professor of gynecology and obstetrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Sufrin has been researching gynecologic and reproductive health care in prison systems since 2005, and specifically pregnancy care of incarcerated women since 2009. She is the director of the PIPS project and conducted this study as part of the project’s mission.
Please note: Sufrin’s availability is limited following the telebriefing. Please contact [email protected] to request an interview with Sufrin for a later time.
EARLY PRESS QUESTIONS: Reporters may submit questions before (or after) the press event by sending an email to [email protected]. Questions will be answered by email after the telebriefing via email by Sufrin or a telephone interview can be arranged. Please include a first and last name and the media outlet. Use “Pregnancy in Prison Study” in the subject line.
FOR MORE INFOROMATION:
● Highlights and live updates from the event will be posted on Twitter via @HopkinsMedNews.
● For information about Johns Hopkins Medicine's Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, please visit this webpage.
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