Posted on 10/14/2005 6:26:15 PM PDT by ruhwaterloo
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A federal judge ordered Missouri prison officials to drive a pregnant inmate to a clinic and let her get an abortion despite a state law that forbids the spending of tax dollars to facilitate an abortion.
U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple ruled Thursday that the prison system is blocking the woman from exercising her right to an abortion. On Friday, he refused to stay the ruling, and ordered that the woman be taken to the clinic on Saturday.
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.
"It is not the prison that has imposed the burden, but the prisoner's violation of the law that resulted in her incarceration that has imposed the burden," Attorney General Jay Nixon's office said.
The state is appealing the ruling. The 8th Circuit refused to stay Whipple's ruling later Friday, and Nixon's office was working on an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Petty tyrants.
This is bs. An abortion can cost on the order (if not more) than $350. So if she can afford the money for that, she should pay for the transportation.
Why not? Some states are paying for sex-change operations for inmates. Don't want to infringe on any of their "rights" ...
Tough beans, lady. As my late pappy used to say, "If you wanna dance you gotta pay the fiddler."
Freepmail me to get on, or off, this ping list.
Low volume list
Thanks, I didn't see it in the breakings news, so I assumed it hadn't been posted.
Did the woman get pregnant before or after becoming a prisoner?
"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."
Fine, then the state can bill her for the transportation costs and she can work it off in prison.
Whipple is the lousiest judge in Missouri. He's a democrat plant.
There is a newer post. Justice Thomas issued an injunction, placing it on hold.
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