Inmate Seeking Free Abortion

Reading (Pa.) Eagle | May 1, 2003 | Dan Kelly

[Russ]

Inmate seeking abortion for free The woman wants the county to pay for the procedure because she has learned the father is an informant who had her arrested on drug charges.

By Dan Kelly Reading Eagle A Berks County Prison inmate asked a county judge Wednesday to order Warden George A. Wagner to arrange an abortion for her at county expense. The woman, identified only as A.G. in court papers, has been in prison for about one month and is 21 weeks pregnant and cannot afford the procedure. She also cannot pay to have deputy sheriffs transport her to and from a medical facility for the procedure, according to court papers.

Abortions are legal in Pennsylvania up to the 24th week of pregnancy.

The inmate, who has been in prison for about a month, said she wants the abortion because she just learned the father is a police informant who arranged a drug deal with her, then turned her in to police.

The request, filed by attorney James M. Polyak of Reading, has been assigned to Judge Stephen B. Lieberman.

Lieberman has scheduled a hearing today.

Wagner said the prison has no policy on abortions, but said his decision is based on the prison's medical policy, which does not allow for elective procedures.

“It's no different than if she wanted to get her teeth capped,” he said. “If she or her family can find a doctor willing to do the procedure, can pay for the procedure and transportation and a judge orders it, we will do it.”

Wagner said the prison also requires court orders for inmates to attend funerals.

Polyak said denying A.G. an abortion because she is in jail and unable to pay is cruel and illegal.

“The failure of the county to provide her with necessary medical care demonstrates a deliberate indifference to her rights,” he said.

He said if she were not in jail, she could obtain an abortion even if she could not pay for it.

Lorraine M. Pierotti, director of advocacy for Planned Parenthood North East of Reading, agreed.

“She would really have to scramble,” Pierotti said, referring to the time constraints. “We wouldn't do it.”

Pierotti said there are organizations that provide funding for late-term abortions, but Planned Parenthood's deadline is 14 weeks.

“But being in prison leaves her no way to raise the money and find someone to do it,” Pierotti said.

Sue Frietsche, a senior staff attorney for the Women's Law Project of Pittsburgh, said the law is clear county prisons must provide abortions and transportation to inmates.

“There is no question that inmates in prisons and jails have this right because inmates rely on these institutions for their medical care,” Frietsche said.

[Russ]

Our tax dollars at work. Is the fact that the father of the baby turned the mother in reason enough to allow the killing of the innocent unborn child?

I have been on FR for over six years and this is the first time I have posted a story. I apologize if it doesn't turn out correctly.

[pubmom]

You did fine! I'll throw in the link to the story:
Inmate seeking abortion for free

[Conservative Me]

Absolutely sickening.

“It's no different than if she wanted to get her teeth capped” Yeah right.

What else was it that the PPh woman said? Something about cruel and unusual punishment because she would be able to get one if she weren't in prison? SHE IS IN PRISON. You are not afforded all of your rights after you commit a crime.

[ChemistCat]

(Not disagreeing with your main point but...)

Has she been convicted or is she still awaiting her trial?

[Conservative Me]

That's a good question. She's been in prison for a month, I think it said in the article.

I hope they use stall tactics so they can get her past the cut-off date for abortions. As it is, she would have about 3 weeks (I think). Also, where is the father and what does he have to say about all of this.

He could tie it up in court if nothing else. It's high time men start stepping up. According to the article, the only reason she now wants an abortion is because she found out the father of her child was responsible for her arrest. So, now it's the child's fault, I guess. I'm sure NOW would pitch a fit, but men should have a say in the lives of their children before they're born. Time for a new precedent.

[glory]

Polyak said denying A.G. an abortion because she is in jail and unable to pay is cruel and illegal.>>

No, what is cruel and should be illegal is a woman being a spiteful b*tch who can't take the heat of her own illegal activity and decides to take it out on an innocent baby. So Polyak thinks it's just fine and dandy that because the woman is ticked at the guy who fathered the child, she should suck out a baby right until birth? Now that's some cruel hearted stuff.

“The failure of the county to provide her with necessary medical care demonstrates a deliberate indifference to her rights,” he said. >>

Since when is an abortion "necessary" at all, especially when your want it because you are ticked at the father of the child? Pretty questionable use of the word necessary.

[hellinahandcart]

“It's no different than if she wanted to get her teeth capped” Yeah right.

Yeah, it is right. The abortion she seeks is no more medically "necessary" than a tooth-capping. The county shouldn't be expected to pay for either procedure.

So she doesn't want to be pregnant anymore? If she sits tight for another four months, she won't be.