U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Prisons Should Better Align Policies with National Guidelines

Experts found that incarcerated pregnant women are a vulnerable population with special needs. For example, national guidance says that they should receive regular prenatal care, screening, and diagnostic tests. However, experts found that while the U.S. Marshals Service and the Bureau of Prisons have policies on pregnancy-related care, they do not always align with the national guidance.

It is recommended that the Marshals Service and the Bureau take steps to more closely align their policies with national guidance on pregnancy-related care to ensure pregnant and postpartum women in their custody receive appropriate treatment and care.