{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/53.1-133.07.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/53.1-133.07.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/53.1-133.07.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/53.1-133.07.html"}],"law_id":85901,"edition_id":1,"section_id":85901,"structure_id":14545,"section_number":"53.1-133.07","catch_line":"Treatment of prisoners known to be pregnant","history":"2025, c. 698.","full_text":"A\n\nNo restraints shall be used on any prisoner known to be pregnant, beginning upon notification or diagnosis by a health care provider about such pregnancy and for the duration of such prisoner’s pregnancy, unless a deputy sheriff or jail officer makes an individualized determination that (i) such prisoner will harm herself, the fetus, or any other person; (ii) such prisoner poses a flight risk; or (iii) the totality of the circumstances creates a serious security risk. If such individualized determination is made that restraints are necessary, such restraints shall be the least restrictive possible.B\n\nNo restraints shall be used on any prisoner known to be pregnant while such prisoner is in labor or during delivery unless a deputy sheriff or jail officer makes an individualized determination that (i) such prisoner will harm herself, the fetus, the newborn child, or any other person; (ii) such prisoner poses a flight risk; or (iii) the totality of the circumstances creates a serious security risk. If such individualized determination is made that restraints are necessary, the deputy sheriff or jail officer shall consult with the health care provider treating such prisoner to ensure that such restraints are the least restrictive possible. In such case, the deputy sheriff or jail officer ordering the use of restraints on any prisoner known to be pregnant while in labor or during delivery shall notify a supervisor as soon as reasonably practicable and shall submit a report indicating the reason for the use of such restraints and what type of restraints were used no later than the conclusion of such deputy sheriff’s or jail officer’s shift. The supervisor shall submit a written report to the sheriff in charge of the local correctional facility, or his designee, or the jail superintendent of the regional correctional facility, or his designee, within 72 hours following the use of restraints, containing the justification for restraining such prisoner. If restraints are used on a prisoner as authorized by subsection A or this subsection, such restraints shall be immediately removed upon the request of any doctor, nurse, or other health care provider treating such prisoner if the restraints present a threat to the life or health of the prisoner, the fetus, or the newborn child.C\n\nNo employee of a local or regional correctional facility other than a licensed health care provider shall conduct a body cavity search of a prisoner known to be pregnant unless the employee has a reasonable belief that such prisoner is concealing contraband. If an employee conducts such body cavity search of a pregnant prisoner, the employee shall submit a written report to the sheriff or jail superintendent in charge of such correctional facility within 72 hours of such body cavity search and shall include in such report the justification for such body cavity search and what contraband was found, if any.D\n\nThe sheriff or jail superintendent of a local or regional correctional facility shall ensure that prisoners known to be pregnant are provided sufficient food and dietary supplements that meet generally accepted prenatal nutritional guidelines for pregnant people as ordered by a licensed health care provider or such health care provider’s staff.E\n\nA prisoner known to be pregnant shall be assigned to the lowest bed available.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":307691,"text":"No restraints shall be used on any prisoner known to be pregnant, beginning upon notification or diagnosis by a health care provider about such pregnancy and for the duration of such prisoner’s pregnancy, unless a deputy sheriff or jail officer makes an individualized determination that (i) such prisoner will harm herself, the fetus, or any other person; (ii) such prisoner poses a flight risk; or (iii) the totality of the circumstances creates a serious security risk. If such individualized determination is made that restraints are necessary, such restraints shall be the least restrictive possible.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":307692,"text":"No restraints shall be used on any prisoner known to be pregnant while such prisoner is in labor or during delivery unless a deputy sheriff or jail officer makes an individualized determination that (i) such prisoner will harm herself, the fetus, the newborn child, or any other person; (ii) such prisoner poses a flight risk; or (iii) the totality of the circumstances creates a serious security risk. If such individualized determination is made that restraints are necessary, the deputy sheriff or jail officer shall consult with the health care provider treating such prisoner to ensure that such restraints are the least restrictive possible. In such case, the deputy sheriff or jail officer ordering the use of restraints on any prisoner known to be pregnant while in labor or during delivery shall notify a supervisor as soon as reasonably practicable and shall submit a report indicating the reason for the use of such restraints and what type of restraints were used no later than the conclusion of such deputy sheriff’s or jail officer’s shift. The supervisor shall submit a written report to the sheriff in charge of the local correctional facility, or his designee, or the jail superintendent of the regional correctional facility, or his designee, within 72 hours following the use of restraints, containing the justification for restraining such prisoner. If restraints are used on a prisoner as authorized by subsection A or this subsection, such restraints shall be immediately removed upon the request of any doctor, nurse, or other health care provider treating such prisoner if the restraints present a threat to the life or health of the prisoner, the fetus, or the newborn child.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":307693,"text":"No employee of a local or regional correctional facility other than a licensed health care provider shall conduct a body cavity search of a prisoner known to be pregnant unless the employee has a reasonable belief that such prisoner is concealing contraband. If an employee conducts such body cavity search of a pregnant prisoner, the employee shall submit a written report to the sheriff or jail superintendent in charge of such correctional facility within 72 hours of such body cavity search and shall include in such report the justification for such body cavity search and what contraband was found, if any.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":307694,"text":"The sheriff or jail superintendent of a local or regional correctional facility shall ensure that prisoners known to be pregnant are provided sufficient food and dietary supplements that meet generally accepted prenatal nutritional guidelines for pregnant people as ordered by a licensed health care provider or such health care provider’s staff.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":307695,"text":"A prisoner known to be pregnant shall be assigned to the lowest bed available.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14545,"edition_id":1,"name":"Treatment of Prisoners Known to Be Pregnant","identifier":"7.1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12847,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:48:36","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:48:36","permalink":{"id":238829,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14545,"identifier":"7.1","token":"53.1\/3\/7.1","url":"\/53.1\/3\/7.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12847,"edition_id":1,"name":"Local Correctional Facilities","identifier":"3","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12717,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:56","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:56","permalink":{"id":238281,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12847,"identifier":"3","token":"53.1\/3","url":"\/53.1\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12717,"edition_id":1,"name":"Prisons and Other Methods of Correction","identifier":"53.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":237591,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12717,"identifier":"53.1","token":"53.1","url":"\/53.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":82363,"structure_id":14545,"section_number":"53.1-133.06","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/53.1-133.06\/","token":"53.1\/3\/7.1\/53.1-133.06","metadata":false},{"id":85901,"structure_id":14545,"section_number":"53.1-133.07","catch_line":"Treatment of prisoners known to be pregnant","url":"\/53.1-133.07\/","token":"53.1\/3\/7.1\/53.1-133.07","metadata":false},{"id":56003,"structure_id":14545,"section_number":"53.1-133.08","catch_line":"Treatment of prisoners during postpartum recovery","url":"\/53.1-133.08\/","token":"53.1\/3\/7.1\/53.1-133.08","metadata":false},{"id":71668,"structure_id":14545,"section_number":"53.1-133.09","catch_line":"Training of deputy sheriffs and jail officers regarding pregnant prisoners","url":"\/53.1-133.09\/","token":"53.1\/3\/7.1\/53.1-133.09","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":82363,"structure_id":14545,"section_number":"53.1-133.06","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/53.1-133.06\/","token":"53.1\/3\/7.1\/53.1-133.06","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":56003,"structure_id":14545,"section_number":"53.1-133.08","catch_line":"Treatment of prisoners during postpartum recovery","url":"\/53.1-133.08\/","token":"53.1\/3\/7.1\/53.1-133.08","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/53.1-133.07\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2025. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 698<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":238835,"object_type":"law","relational_id":85901,"identifier":"53.1-133.07","token":"53.1\/3\/7.1\/53.1-133.07","url":"\/53.1-133.07\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/53.1-133.07\/","token":"53.1\/3\/7.1\/53.1-133.07","dublin_core":{"Title":"Treatment of prisoners known to be pregnant","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 53.1-133.07","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> No restraints<\/span> shall be used on any prisoner known to be pregnant, beginning upon notification or diagnosis by a health care provider about such pregnancy and for the duration of such prisoner’s pregnancy, unless a deputy sheriff<\/span> or jail officer<\/span> makes an individualized determination that (i) such prisoner will harm herself, the fetus, or any other person; (ii) such prisoner poses a flight risk; or (iii) the totality of the circumstances creates a serious security risk. If such individualized determination is made that restraints<\/span> are necessary, such restraints<\/span> shall be the least restrictive possible. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> No restraints<\/span> shall be used on any prisoner known to be pregnant while such prisoner is in labor or during delivery unless a deputy sheriff<\/span> or jail officer<\/span> makes an individualized determination that (i) such prisoner will harm herself, the fetus, the newborn child, or any other person; (ii) such prisoner poses a flight risk; or (iii) the totality of the circumstances creates a serious security risk. If such individualized determination is made that restraints<\/span> are necessary, the deputy sheriff<\/span> or jail officer<\/span> shall consult with the health care provider treating such prisoner to ensure that such restraints<\/span> are the least restrictive possible. In such case, the deputy sheriff<\/span> or jail officer<\/span> ordering the use of restraints<\/span> on any prisoner known to be pregnant while in labor or during delivery shall notify a supervisor as soon as reasonably practicable and shall submit a report indicating the reason for the use of such restraints<\/span> and what type of restraints<\/span> were used no later than the conclusion of such deputy sheriff<\/span>’s or jail officer<\/span>’s shift. The supervisor shall submit a written report to the sheriff in charge of the local correctional facility<\/span>, or his designee, or the jail superintendent of the regional correctional facility, or his designee, within 72 hours following the use of restraints<\/span>, containing the justification for restraining such prisoner. If restraints<\/span> are used on a prisoner as authorized by subsection A or this subsection, such restraints<\/span> shall be immediately removed upon the request of any doctor, nurse, or other health care provider treating such prisoner if the restraints<\/span> present a threat to the life or health of the prisoner, the fetus, or the newborn child. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> No employee of a local or regional correctional facility other than a licensed health care provider shall conduct a body cavity search of a prisoner known to be pregnant unless the employee has a reasonable belief that such prisoner is concealing contraband. If an employee conducts such body cavity search of a pregnant prisoner, the employee shall submit a written report to the sheriff or jail superintendent in charge of such correctional facility within 72 hours of such body cavity search and shall include in such report the justification for such body cavity search and what contraband was found, if any. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The sheriff or jail superintendent of a local or regional correctional facility shall ensure that prisoners known to be pregnant are provided sufficient food and dietary supplements that meet generally accepted prenatal nutritional guidelines for pregnant people as ordered by a licensed health care provider or such health care provider’s staff. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> A prisoner known to be pregnant shall be assigned to the lowest bed available. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nTREATMENT OF PRISONERS KNOWN TO BE PREGNANT (\u00a7 53.1-133.07)\n\nA. No restraints shall be used on any prisoner known to be pregnant, beginning\nupon notification or diagnosis by a health care provider about such pregnancy\nand for the duration of such prisoner’s pregnancy, unless a deputy sheriff\nor jail officer makes an individualized determination that (i) such prisoner\nwill harm herself, the fetus, or any other person; (ii) such prisoner poses a\nflight risk; or (iii) the totality of the circumstances creates a serious\nsecurity risk. If such individualized determination is made that restraints are\nnecessary, such restraints shall be the least restrictive possible.\n\nB. No restraints shall be used on any prisoner known to be pregnant while such\nprisoner is in labor or during delivery unless a deputy sheriff or jail officer\nmakes an individualized determination that (i) such prisoner will harm herself,\nthe fetus, the newborn child, or any other person; (ii) such prisoner poses a\nflight risk; or (iii) the totality of the circumstances creates a serious\nsecurity risk. If such individualized determination is made that restraints are\nnecessary, the deputy sheriff or jail officer shall consult with the health care\nprovider treating such prisoner to ensure that such restraints are the least\nrestrictive possible. In such case, the deputy sheriff or jail officer ordering\nthe use of restraints on any prisoner known to be pregnant while in labor or\nduring delivery shall notify a supervisor as soon as reasonably practicable and\nshall submit a report indicating the reason for the use of such restraints and\nwhat type of restraints were used no later than the conclusion of such deputy\nsheriff’s or jail officer’s shift. The supervisor shall submit a\nwritten report to the sheriff in charge of the local correctional facility, or\nhis designee, or the jail superintendent of the regional correctional facility,\nor his designee, within 72 hours following the use of restraints, containing the\njustification for restraining such prisoner. If restraints are used on a\nprisoner as authorized by subsection A or this subsection, such restraints shall\nbe immediately removed upon the request of any doctor, nurse, or other health\ncare provider treating such prisoner if the restraints present a threat to the\nlife or health of the prisoner, the fetus, or the newborn child.\n\nC. No employee of a local or regional correctional facility other than a\nlicensed health care provider shall conduct a body cavity search of a prisoner\nknown to be pregnant unless the employee has a reasonable belief that such\nprisoner is concealing contraband. If an employee conducts such body cavity\nsearch of a pregnant prisoner, the employee shall submit a written report to the\nsheriff or jail superintendent in charge of such correctional facility within 72\nhours of such body cavity search and shall include in such report the\njustification for such body cavity search and what contraband was found, if any.\n\nD. The sheriff or jail superintendent of a local or regional correctional\nfacility shall ensure that prisoners known to be pregnant are provided\nsufficient food and dietary supplements that meet generally accepted prenatal\nnutritional guidelines for pregnant people as ordered by a licensed health care\nprovider or such health care provider’s staff.\n\nE. A prisoner known to be pregnant shall be assigned to the lowest bed\navailable.\n\nHISTORY: 2025, c. 698.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}