Mo. Prison Overruled on Inmate Abortion

Posted on October 15, 2005

The U.S. Supreme Court late Friday temporarily blocked a federal judge’s order that Missouri prison officials drive a pregnant inmate 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.

An appeals court on Friday refused to stay the ruling.

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.Source

So, what they want is for your tax money to pay for the transportation for a woman to have an abortion. It isn’t the prison placing a burden on this woman’s freedom. I believe when you violate the law, and end up in prison, you have pretty much given up your freedom, along with many rights. I surely don’t think you should have the priveledge of having the taxpayers fund your travel to kill your baby.

But hold on, one more part of the article caught my eye.

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.

See smoke, and you can pretty much guess there is fire. Doesn’t suprise me in the least that the ACLU is behind this one.

Good move by Justice Thomas on this one.

Crossposted at Prolife Blogs
Others: Sweet Spirits of Ammonia
Linked at Two Babes and a Brain Trackback Party.
The Political Teen

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4 Responses to “Mo. Prison Overruled on Inmate Abortion”

Paul on October 15th, 2005 3:20 pm

I support Justice Thomas on this one .
LIsa on October 15th, 2005 4:27 pm

Not sure why your trackback didn’t work…I always have trouble trackbacking over at Jo’s Cafe. Thanx for the link anyway.
Joseph (OKLiberal) on October 15th, 2005 5:17 pm

It is a lot to ask of taxpayers to pay for a prisoner (read someone who broke the law) to use tax money to travel to another community to have an abortion (again at taxpayers’ expense). I thought prisoners lost most of their rights when they broke the law in the first place?
Don Surber on October 16th, 2005 3:38 am

Good catch on the ACLU influence. But the 16 weeks-17 weeks things begs the question: How long has she been in custody?
Also, what is she in prison for?
Finally, what is her name? If abortion is a right, then anonymity is unnecessary.