Reproductive Healthcare Standards for Incarcerated Women

Incarcerated women’s healthcare has traditionally been neglected due to a lack of standards, inadequate funding, transportation barriers, and lack of advocacy. In the United States, no federal government body has established national standards for medical care in prisons. However, various nongovernmental organizations offer voluntary healthcare standards including the American Correctional Association (ACA) and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC). Accreditation from these organizations suggests a constitutionally acceptable level of care for inmates and leads to improved health status, fewer grievances and lawsuits, and reduced health risks to the community.