[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 100 (Wednesday, July 18, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1359]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




DEPARTMENTS OF COMMERCE, JUSTICE, AND STATE, THE JUDICIARY, AND RELATED 
                   AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2002

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 17, 2001

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2500) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Commerce, Justice and 
     State, the Judiciary, and related agencies for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2002, and for other purposes:

  Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Chairman, over the past decade, the number of 
women in the Federal Prison system has grown by 182 percent, compared 
to 152 percent for men. Prison has never accommodated the needs of 
women prisoners well. And while health care available to low-income 
women is poor, women in prison face terribly inadequate medical care.
  Although all women in federal prison receive annual OB-GYN exams, the 
ban on federal funds for abortion services is a direct assault on 
women's reproductive health care. There are many reasons why women 
decide not to bear children. Abortion has been a legal health option 
for women for almost 30 years. But because women in federal prison are 
more likely to be poor and minority, the ban prevents these women from 
controlling their own bodies.
  Women who are able to pay for abortion may use their own funds to do 
so, however, jobs available to prisoners pay at a rate of 23 cents to 
$1.15 per hour. This means that inmates make anywhere from $4.80 to $16 
per week. At this rate, very few inmates are able to make enough money 
to pay for an abortion. The ban on the use of federal funds effectively 
forecloses their opportunity to obtain these health services.
  Imprisonment is a necessary punishment when the law is broken. 
Imprisonment does not mean, however, that prisoners have no right to 
safety and medical care. Poor medical care is not punishment, it's a 
denial of fundamental rights.
  I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the DeGette amendment.

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