Prison Abortion

**ichi** · 10-15-2005, 16:58

High Court Blocks Prison Abortion Order

By DAVID TWIDDY

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - An attorney for a pregnant inmate who wants an abortion said time is running out for his client to have the procedure while the courts decide her case.

The U.S. Supreme Court late Friday temporarily blocked a federal judge's ruling that ordered Missouri prison officials to drive the woman to a clinic on Saturday for an abortion.

Justice Clarence Thomas, acting alone, granted the temporary stay pending a further decision by himself or the full court.

Missouri state law forbids spending tax dollars to facilitate an abortion. However, U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple ruled Thursday that the prison system was blocking the woman from exercising her right to an abortion and ordered that the woman be taken to the clinic Saturday.

The woman's attorney, James Felakos of the American Civil Liberties Union, said in court papers that the woman is running out of time because she is 16 weeks to 17 weeks pregnant, and Missouri bars abortions after 22 weeks.

The woman, whose name was not disclosed in court papers, has said she will borrow money for the abortion from friends and family but cannot afford to pay for transportation.

Under a policy adopted in July, Missouri's prison system does not provide transportation or security for inmates seeking abortions. The policy is based on a state law that prohibits the spending of public funds ``for the purpose of performing or assisting an abortion not necessary to save the life of the mother.''

State officials argued that their policy is reasonable because of the costs and security risks of transporting inmates outside for procedures the officials said are not medically necessary.

The state estimated it would cost $350 plus fuel for two guards to accompany the woman on the 80-mile trip from her cell in Vandalia to a St. Louis clinic.

``It is not the prison that has imposed the burden, but the prisoner's violation of the law that resulted in her incarceration that has imposed the burden,'' Attorney General Jay Nixon's office said.

In court papers, the woman said she discovered she was pregnant shortly after being arrested in California in July on a Missouri parole violation. She said she tried to get an abortion in California but was transferred back to Missouri before it could be performed.

Justice Thomas handles appeals from the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which includes Missouri. He could lift the stay over the weekend, after reviewing more legal arguments.

It is not uncommon for the Supreme Court to issue temporary stays that give both sides time to file more arguments.

10/15/05 05:54

Seems to me like the $350 is just an excuse to deny the woman, cause the State will probably spend thousands on the birth and care of the infant.

It also seems like the solution would be for a pro-choice group to pony up the dough.

ichi

**BDC** · 10-15-2005, 17:01

Wow, that's inefficient beaurocracy for you.

**Del Arroyo** · 10-15-2005, 20:03

I say good on them. There's no such thing as a right to an abortion.

This is obviously a trumped-up case. If her family and friends can juntar dinero for the abortion, which is probably more the three-fifty, then they can juntar dinero for the transportation.

And you're right, Ichi-- a pro-choice group could also chip in. I wonder why one hasn't-- could it be, god forbid, that it is not at all in their interest???

Let the brat be born, and adopted. It's not like it would be a frieking tragedy...

DA

**Red Harvest** · 10-16-2005, 02:49

I don't think there is any way to "chip in." It doesn't sound like the State is saying "pony up X dollars for transport"--that would be reasonable. Instead, they are saying, "no" with the funding aspect being used as an excuse.

I'm of mixed opinions on this one. While I'm not personally in favor of abortion, I don't agree with the outright bans that many want (and use various false arguments to hide behind.) So this comes down to a case of a State making their own religious call on the issue, and that I'm not too happy with.