The National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) has adopted a new resolution supporting access to comprehensive, evidence-based maternal and women’s health care in the nation’s jails—an important affirmation of the shared responsibility to protect the health and safety of incarcerated women, their children, and correctional staff.
NCCHC is pleased to work cooperatively with NSA on these critical issues. NSA has a representative on NCCHC’s Board of Representatives, reflecting an ongoing partnership between correctional leaders and health professionals committed to constitutionally acceptable care in jails and prisons.
Addressing urgent and complex needs
Each year, more than 1.7 million women pass through U.S. jails, many with time-sensitive health needs that include pregnancy and postpartum care, mental health treatment, substance use disorder treatment, and access to basic necessities such as menstrual products. An estimated 55,000 pregnant women are admitted to U.S. jails annually, and some will experience labor, miscarriage, abortion, or other pregnancy outcomes while in custody.
The NSA resolution recognizes that pregnant and postpartum women in jail face elevated medical and psychosocial risks—and that most maternal deaths are preventable with timely, appropriate care. Untreated mental health conditions and drug overdose remain leading causes of maternal mortality, underscoring the importance of access to qualified prenatal care, emergency referral, and evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder.
Alignment with NCCHC Standards
The resolution explicitly supports providing comprehensive women’s health services in jails, regardless of size or location, and calls for care aligned with recommendations from NCCHC and other national authorities. These priorities are consistent with NCCHC Standards for Health Services, which address pregnancy care, mental health treatment, substance use disorder services, emergency response, and continuity of care.
The resolution also highlights the importance of:
- Continuation and initiation of medication-assisted treatment (MAT/MOUD) during pregnancy and postpartum
- Access to breastfeeding support when clinically appropriate
- Family-friendly visitation to help preserve bonds between mothers and children
- Training frontline staff to recognize urgent maternal warning signs
- Collaboration with public health agencies to improve data collection on maternal outcomes in jails
Collaboration across systems
In addition to supporting clinical care, the NSA resolution emphasizes collaboration—among jails, public health agencies, health care providers, and community organizations—to improve outcomes for incarcerated women and their families. It also recognizes the needs of pregnant correctional staff, including accommodations for pregnancy-related emergencies and lactation.
NCCHC welcomes this resolution as a meaningful step toward strengthening systems of care in jails and reinforcing the shared commitment of sheriffs, health professionals, and policymakers to evidence-based practices that protect life, reduce preventable harm, and support healthier communities.
