A bill in Ohio is gaining momentum as it aims to provide free feminine hygiene products to inmates in correctional facilities. The proposed legislation, House Bill 29, would mandate that all jails and prisons housing women must offer a sufficient supply of pads and tampons in various sizes. This initiative, sponsored by Representatives Latyna Humphrey and Marilyn John, seeks to address the disparities and inconsistencies in the current distribution of hygiene products among female inmates.
Former inmates and advocates for equality have voiced their support for the bill, highlighting the need for a formal policy to ensure fair and consistent access to feminine hygiene products. The absence of such regulations has led to situations where some inmates receive necessary items without issue, while others face challenges or even punishment for requesting them.
The bipartisan nature of the legislation underscores the importance of this issue, with a previous bill passing the House unanimously but stalling in the Senate. Advocates stress that denying inmates access to essential hygiene products not only compromises their health and dignity but also violates fundamental human rights.
Expert testimonies, including one from Kayelin Tiggs, emphasize the dire consequences of inadequate access to menstrual products, citing instances where incarcerated women had to resort to unsanitary alternatives due to limited supplies. The bill aims to prevent such situations by ensuring that facilities have clear policies in place and do not withhold hygiene products from those in need.
During hearings for the bill, former female inmates shared personal accounts of being denied hygiene products, using makeshift solutions, and facing degrading treatment from prison staff. This narrative underscores the urgency of enacting legislation to protect the well-being and rights of incarcerated women.
While the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction issued a policy in 2022 to provide free menstrual products to women in its facilities, concerns persist regarding the reliability of access. The proposed bill seeks to enshrine these protections into law, safeguarding the rights of female inmates regardless of administrative changes or policy reversals.
If passed, Ohio would join a growing number of states with laws mandating the provision of menstrual products in correctional settings. The bill awaits further deliberation in the House’s Government Oversight Committee, where it may face opposition from critics or stakeholders with differing perspectives on the issue.
The push for free feminine hygiene products in Ohio’s correctional facilities reflects a broader societal shift towards recognizing and addressing the specific needs of female inmates. By advocating for legislative changes that prioritize the health and dignity of incarcerated women, policymakers and advocates are striving to create a more equitable and humane system of care within the criminal justice system.