Buckle up y’all
I was so excited to receive this book for an early review from the publisher. I thought it was about something I really enjoy, pregnancy and birth. As a birth worker I am constantly trying to read and learn more to benefit the care I provide. However within the first 40 pages of the “introduction” I realized that instead of this book being about the actual stories of the women who were pregnant behind bars, it was an academic paper heavily littered with the authors opinion on things like abortion, prison, religion, politics, and the healthcare system. This alone wouldn’t be a major problem except the opinions are so dangerous and rooted in falsehoods. The author generalized pregnancy in the U.S. as an awful experience. Stating that all women experience birth trauma within the healthcare provided. Stating their autonomy is stripped from them. Even going as far as using medical terminology that is made up (cesarean check). The author delivers a dangerous fear mongering style for any women who read this that plan on becoming pregnant. She also in the first chapter illustrates that prison as a choice is just an “idea” and “stigma.” And later on stating that the healthcare system incarcerates pregnant women by doing routine blood pressure checks and fetal ultrasounds and that these numbers will be used against them later. Also false. These numbers are used to find women who are high risk that might otherwise be missed leading to maternal mortality. While she addresses the difference between black and white maternal deaths, this gap would be even wider if routine prenatal care was not a standard. She also describes sex work and drug trafficking as characteristics of “devout” Christianity. Add in that this book is listed at $89 on targets website and I conclude that the author wrote her own textbook to use in the classes she teaches.

Birth Behind Bars by Rebecca M. Rodriguez Carey is a powerful, thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between pregnancy, motherhood, and incarceration. The book sheds light on a side of the justice system that is often overlooked—how women in prison navigate the challenges of pregnancy, childbirth, and raising children within the confines of a correctional facility.

Carey’s writing is both empathetic and informative, providing a deeply human look at the experiences of incarcerated women. Through the lens of these women’s stories, the book paints a vivid picture of the emotional and physical struggles they face, while also highlighting the resilience, strength, and bond they share with their children. Carey’s ability to capture the nuances of these women’s lives, from the trauma of their past to their hopes for the future, makes the narrative compelling and difficult to put down.

One of the standout elements of Birth Behind Bars is the way it humanizes women who are often seen as “criminals” by society, offering a broader perspective on the complexities of their lives and the systemic issues they face. The book is full of personal stories and interviews that provide invaluable insight into the realities of giving birth in prison, including the lack of adequate healthcare, emotional support, and the challenge of maintaining a connection with children after birth.

While the book is deeply emotional and eye-opening, it is also a call to action. Carey urges readers to rethink their views on the criminal justice system, especially when it comes to women and motherhood. She explores the need for reform and the importance of providing better care and resources for incarcerated women, particularly those who are pregnant or giving birth.

Overall, Birth Behind Bars is a moving and enlightening read that brings attention to a critical issue often ignored by mainstream discourse. It’s a poignant reminder of the need for empathy, reform, and a more compassionate approach to incarceration. Anyone interested in social justice, criminal reform, or the experiences of women in prison will find this book both enlightening and impactful.

This is a very informative book that is true to its title. This book feels like a thorough analysis of the treatment of pregnant women in prison throughout their pregnancies and births. We follow a few women in this book with powerful stories, but the writing is bogged down with technical research paper style writing that is often repetitive. An important book but not an easy read.

3.5 stars

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

I was already interested in the topic even before I got the book, so I'm really grateful to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read a preview. But I'll be honest: the opinion I'm reporting is based on my own reading experience.

I have to say, this book is extremely well structured. It's an essay that's clearly and logically constructed. The topic is really well explored, and it's not a pretty picture. It's pretty shocking how pregnant women are treated in prisons and how childbirth is handled in these facilities. Bringing back the past of some of the main characters really makes the experience feel more real and makes the reader feel more empathy. I also found the research to be interesting and well organized.

But I was disappointed that the essay doesn't really address the shortcomings of the prison system when it comes to pregnant and postpartum inmates. It's more of a dissertation, and it might be off-putting for some readers. To be honest, the text is a bit hard to follow at first because it's written in a way that's more like a dissertation than something easy for the average reader to understand.

This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I would've liked to have known about it earlier so I could've approached the reading better. Maybe it would've been good to point it out in the intro and explain the type of content that was going to be read. Either way, it's an interesting read. I recommend it because, no matter what the topic is, it's a thought-provoking text about how we run our society and what improvements we might need.

PLEASE NOTE: A fully completed review will ben published on my blog (https://medium.com/@inabookhole) on June 19 and on my social (Instagram and Reddit).

This was a very interesting read on the effects and treatment of pregnant women incarcerated. I for the most part found it very informative my only critique is it read like a research paper. i initially found it hard to get into but once we got to the different women and their stories it was much easier to read.

I really liked this book. It was so interesting to read about the issues incarcerated women have to deal with, and how inhumanely they are treated. It is eye opening, heartbreaking, and just plain sad. I think it is important for people to be more aware of these issues

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

As someone with a Sociology degree, I was drawn towards the title of the book and its subject matter. Although I enjoyed reading about the numerous women in the book, their background stories, their experiences being pregnant in jail and how it is to give birth while incarcerated. It reads more like a dissertation not a standard non fiction book. There is so much context having to be prefaced first that the actual story doesn’t even start until page 43. It is my opinion that it would have been better if it read like a book, with each woman having their own chapter.

*Birth Behind Bars* by Rebecca Rodriguez Carey is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between pregnancy, incarceration, and the justice system. In this book, Carey shares the stories of women who have given birth while incarcerated, shedding light on the often-overlooked realities faced by these women. Through her research and interviews, she examines the psychological, emotional, and physical tolls that incarceration during pregnancy takes on both mothers and their children.

The book provides a critical look at the policies surrounding reproductive health and maternal care within prisons, emphasizing how systemic inequalities impact the ability of incarcerated women to access proper prenatal and postnatal care. It also touches on the broader societal issues, such as the criminalization of motherhood, racial disparities, and the cycle of trauma that many of these women experience.

Carey’s writing is compassionate yet unflinching, offering a balanced combination of personal stories, statistical data, and analysis of the institutional practices that contribute to the mistreatment of pregnant women in prison. Her work not only highlights the profound injustices of the penal system but also underscores the need for reform, particularly in terms of how incarcerated women are treated during pregnancy and childbirth.

*Birth Behind Bars* is a powerful call to action, urging readers to reconsider the human rights of incarcerated individuals and to advocate for systemic changes that prioritize health and dignity over punishment. It is an essential read for anyone interested in criminal justice, reproductive rights, and social justice, offering a deep dive into a crucial issue that is often ignored or misunderstood.

This is a gut-wrenching account of women's experiences with birth and motherhood behind bars. The women's stories read like a horror movie, except this was real life in the US of A! A woman's autonomy is stripped from her the moment she begins her sentence: everything from decisions about prenatal care, her diet, right to abort in timely manner. These crucial decisions are decided by bureaucrats and the budget is given careful scrutiny. The stories shared reveal how pregnant women have limited means and resources, leaving them vulnerable to endure abusive relationships; some women see incarceration as a blessing because they at least know they'll get three meals a day and can sober up for a better chance at delivering a healthy baby.
The harshest details were the systematic shackling of women during childbirth. It is offensive and inconceivable that a woman is capable of escape during or after childbirth: they are heavily medicated, left physically exhausted from the birthing process, and the women who have cesarian birth, are in no condition to get up from their hospital bed to escape custody. However, one correctional officer wanted to apply shackles to an inmate who was about to give birth, because the CO, "had to use the bathroom."
The main theme throughout these accounts, is that there is no universal regulation of processes and policies within the penal system and carceral system. Even when there are laws enacted, it is well known that correctional facilities don't adhere to them and since there seems to be no consequence, who's going to stop them?

I really enjoyed reading this book. I told typically read non-fiction but the description of the book interested me. I loved reading about all the interviews with the women & learning about their stories. Gives you a different perspective on what goes on in the prisons.