Whispers Beyond Bars
By Marci Marie Ray
A young pregnant woman finds a journal revealing the harrowing journey of an incarcerated mother-to-be, only to discover a shattering truth
Whispers Beyond Bars details the reality of life in prison for pregnant women, exposing the lack of compassionate care for mothers who are incarcerated. The film confronts the systemic and personal trauma of pregnancy behind bars, where dignity, safety, and healthcare are too often denied.
About the Issue
Despite legislative action dating back to 2009, pregnant people in Texas prisons and jails continue to endure harmful practices—including shackling during labor and inadequate prenatal nutrition. Oversight mechanisms have failed to ensure uniform, humane treatment, resulting in ongoing preventable physical and emotional harm.
We want to highlight the inhumanity of shackling during labor and the dangers of leaving restraint decisions to officer discretion—particularly under Texas law—calling for a ban on shackling during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum recovery; mandatory prenatal care in all carceral settings; the removal of officer discretion on restraints; and enforceable oversight standards to ensure maternal health and dignity are protected.
On average, approximately 250 women give birth within Texas prisons every year.* Surprisingly, when looking at Texas jails, that number skyrockets significantly as thousands of pregnant women are held in Texas jails every year. In 2022 alone, nearly 5,000 pregnant people were incarcerated in Texas jails.**