Pregnancy Rights

Working towards a more progressive criminal justice system is an important part of furthering the cause of reproductive justice. A criminal justice system that makes communities safer, protects personal liberty and limits abuses of power by governmental authorities will also further the cause of reproductive justice. Those who support a progressive criminal justice system will identify several common areas of advocacy with the Reproductive Justice movement. These include: opposing the criminalization of behaviors that are closely tied to unmet social service needs, especially mental health and substance abuse services; rejecting mass incarceration and the use of the criminal justice system to address problems better addressed through adequate social services; ensuring procedural safeguards, discouraging selective prosecution and protecting the constitutional rights of the accused; and advocating for fair, appropriate and humane sentences for those convicted of crimes.