Lawmakers in Richmond are moving forward with an effort to make sure female inmates get feminine hygiene products.
The horror stories from former female inmates are shocking. Holly Seibold is the founder of a group called Bringing Resources to Aid Women’s Shelters, known as BRAWS. She says she’s heard from inmates who have been forced to create makeshift tampons out of pads. And then there’s this.
“They’ve had to prove that they needed an extra pad by showing correction officers their used pads.”
When lawmakers in a House panel heard that, they voted unanimously to make sure feminine hygiene products are available at jails and prisons. The bill was introduced by Delegate Kaye Kory, a Democrat from Falls Church, who says the bill has already prompted a reaction.
“The regional jails and the Department of Corrections have now announced that they are going to provide feminine hygiene menstrual products to women who are incarcerated at no cost.”
She says it’s almost as if the bill has already been passed and signed by the governor.
“Public shaming works sometimes. I’ll have to do it more often.”
Lawmakers are also considering bills that would make sure feminine hygiene products are available in restrooms at schools and homeless shelters.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
