Investigation uncovers abuse of pregnant women in prison

A Georgia woman shares her story

WASHINGTON, D.C. (41NBC/WMGT) – Senator Jon Ossoff’s Human Rights Subcommittee says it’s uncovered disturbing and frequent abuse of pregnant women in the American prison system.

During a hearing on Wednesday, women shared their stories. One Georgia resident recalled her time in the state’s prison system.

Jessica “Drew” Umberger told the subcommittee she was pregnant in 2017 and 2018 while serving a 5-year sentence at Helms Facility in Atlanta. Umberger says her pregnancy was the worst nine months of her life. She described watching other women screaming for help while giving birth and ultimately having their baby with no help in hallways or bathrooms.

According to Umberger, a prison guard told one woman to shut up and wait until the morning for help. Throughout her pregnancy, Umberger says she did not receive proper nutrition. She described the food inmates were given as watered down greens, soy patties and cheese bread.

Umberger testified that prison guards played tricks on inmates. For example, announcing at 4 a.m. that there was Waffle House in the cafeteria and laughing at confused inmates.

When it was time to give birth, Umbereger says she was scared. She recalled being told by staff that she was required to have a C-section. Umberger explained the reasoning behind that requirement was a birth nearly two decades prior that ended with a C-section.

According to board certified Obstetrician-Gynecologist, Dr. Carolyn Sufrin, the prison’s reasoning was not medically sound. In her opinion, the natural birth Umberger asked for would have been safer.

“Best medical practice is that this should be a decision that is between the patient and their obstetrician or their midwife, their care giver,” Dr. Sufrin said, adding that a vaginal birth is preferred by doctors, and normally the safer option.

After her child was born, Umberger told the subcommittee a male correctional officer refused to leave the room while a nurse cleaned her genitals.

“It’s like I wasn’t a real person,” she said. “And the fact that he was just looking at me… I still remember it to this day. Nobody should ever have to go through that, ever.”

Postpartum, Umberger recalled her time in solitary confinement at Lee Arrendale State Prison. Umberger believes asking prison staff for cleaning products is what earned her those three weeks in solitary. According to her testimony, this happened during her recovery from that C-section in August. She added the cell had no air conditioning and that she did not receive medical help during that time, leading to infection in her surgical wounds.

Her children were moved to foster care while she was incarcerated. One child said their sibling was not allowed to leave his room or eat fresh food. Years later, Umberger says her family is still healing from her time in a Georgia prison.

“I served my time, but my children and I will never be fully be finished with my sentence,” she said.

Umberger now works with Policing Alternatives and Divergence Initiative in Atlanta. PAD is a non-profit that works to keep people out of prison through interventions such as mental health care.

According to Senator Ossoff, the investigation into prisons and jails across the country is still underway.