Indigenous woman shackled to hospital bed while in labour in Queensland

Incident occurred days before federal parliament blocked a bill to ban the practice of restraining incarcerated women during childbirth

By LineZotpaper

Published18 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources2 outlets

A pregnant Indigenous woman was shackled to a hospital bed in Queensland while in labour last weekend, advocacy group Sisters Inside has reported. The birth came just days after federal Labor and the Coalition joined to block a bill that would have banned the practice, which critics describe as barbaric and incompatible with international human rights standards.

Debbie Kilroy, chief executive officer of Sisters Inside, said an Aboriginal woman who gave birth via caesarean section to a premature baby on the weekend was shackled on and off since arriving at the hospital. Hospital staff contacted the advocacy group after being unable to have the restraints removed. "They were even crying because prison staff wouldn't remove the shackles," Kilroy said.

A Queensland corrective services spokesperson confirmed the woman was shackled while in labour and said the incident would be subject to an internal review. "Restraints are only ever to be used as a last resort on pregnant prisoners where necessary to maintain public safety," the spokesperson said.

Senator Lidia Thorpe, an independent from Victoria, had introduced bills this week to ban shackling and to stop children being strip-searched. Speaking in the Senate, she said: "The people sitting in this room have the power to end these barbaric, inhumane, traumatic and totally unnecessary practices."

However, the government said this week that criminal justice was a matter for the states and territories, while the Coalition said it understood the bill's intent but would not support its passage. Queensland Liberal senator Paul Scarr broke ranks, saying he was "deeply concerned" and would raise the matter with the state attorney general.

Australia is a signatory to the United Nations Bangkok Rules, which state that "instruments of restraint shall never be used on women during labour, during birth and immediately after birth." Kilroy said the woman in hospital had been "spiralling" before the shackles were finally removed on Friday.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The incident highlights a practice that directly violates international human rights standards Australia has voluntarily signed.
The failure of federal parliament to act leaves pregnant incarcerated women at risk of physical and psychological harm during a critical medical event.
Advocacy groups warn that the practice disproportionately affects Indigenous women, who are overrepresented in Australia's prison system.

Background

Shackling pregnant prisoners during labour has been widely condemned by medical and human rights organisations. The United Nations Bangkok Rules, to which Australia is a signatory, explicitly prohibit the use of restraints on women during labour, birth and the immediate postpartum period. Despite this, incidents continue to be reported across Australian jurisdictions. Federal efforts to legislate a national ban have stalled due to jurisdictional disputes between Commonwealth and state governments.

Key Perspectives

Advocacy groups (Sisters Inside): The practice is barbaric and inhumane. They argue that prison staff ignored medical staff's requests and that internal reviews have historically failed to prevent further incidents. Federal government (Labor and Coalition): Labor says criminal justice is a state responsibility; the Coalition acknowledges the intent but refuses to support a federal ban. Both argue the matter is best handled by states. Senator Lidia Thorpe and crossbench: A national ban is necessary and achievable. Queensland Liberal Senator Paul Scarr has indicated concern and pledged to raise the issue with the state attorney general.

What to Watch

The outcome of the Queensland corrective services internal review and any disciplinary action taken.
Whether the incident prompts state-level reform or renewed pressure on federal parliament.
Further action by Senator Thorpe or crossbench senators to reintroduce or amend the legislation.

Sources

Indigenous woman shackled to hospital bed while in labour in Queensland · Australia news | The Guardian
Indigenous woman shackled to hospital bed while in labour in Queensland · World news | The Guardian

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedIndigenous woman shackled to hospital bed while in labour in QueenslandWorld news | The Guardian: “An incarcerated Indigenous woman was shackled to a hospital bed in Queensland while she was in labour last weekend”
SupportedIncident occurred days before federal parliament blocked a bill to ban the practice of restraining incarcerated women during childbirthWorld news | The Guardian: “The birth happened just days before Labor and the Coalition blocked a bill to ban the 'barbaric practice' of shackling incarcerated women during childbirth”
Sources say otherwiseThe birth came just days after federal Labor and the Coalition joined to block a bill that would have banned the practiceWorld news | The Guardian: “The birth happened just days before Labor and the Coalition blocked a bill”
SupportedDebbie Kilroy said an Aboriginal woman who gave birth via caesarean section to a premature baby on the weekend was shackled on and off since arriving at the hospitalWorld news | The Guardian: “Debbie Kilroy, the chief executive officer of advocacy group Sisters Inside, said an Aboriginal woman who gave birth via caesarean section to a premature baby on the weekend and was still in hospital had been 'shackled on and off since she came into the hospital'”
SupportedHospital staff contacted the advocacy group after being unable to have the restraints removedWorld news | The Guardian: “Hospital staff rang Sisters Inside after trying everything they could to get the shackles removed”
Supported"They were even crying because prison staff wouldn't remove the shackles," Kilroy saidWorld news | The Guardian: “"They were even crying because prison staff wouldn't remove the shackles."”
SupportedA Queensland corrective services spokesperson confirmed the woman was shackled while in labour and said the incident would be subject to an internal reviewWorld news | The Guardian: “A Queensland corrective services spokesperson confirmed a woman had been shackled while in labour and said the incident would be reviewed”
Supported"Restraints are only ever to be used as a last resort on pregnant prisoners where necessary to maintain public safety," the spokesperson saidWorld news | The Guardian: “"This incident will be subject to an internal review as restraints are only ever to be used as a last resort on pregnant prisoners where necessary to maintain public safety," the spokesperson said.”
SupportedSenator Lidia Thorpe introduced bills this week to ban shackling and to stop children being strip-searchedWorld news | The Guardian: “Lidia Thorpe, a Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung woman and independent senator for Victoria, introduced bills to the Senate this week to ban shackling and to stop children being strip-searched.”
SupportedSpeaking in the Senate, she said: "The people sitting in this room have the power to end these barbaric, inhumane, traumatic and totally unnecessary practices."World news | The Guardian: “"The people sitting in this room have the power to end these barbaric, inhumane, traumatic and totally unnecessary practices."”
SupportedThe government said criminal justice was a matter for the states and territories, while the Coalition said it understood the bill's intent but would not support its passageWorld news | The Guardian: “But the government said this week the criminal justice system was a matter for the states and territories while the Coalition said it understood the intent of the bill but would not support its passage.”
SupportedQueensland Liberal senator Paul Scarr broke ranks, saying he was "deeply concerned" and would raise the matter with the state attorney generalWorld news | The Guardian: “The Queensland Liberal senator Paul Scarr broke ranks to say he was "deeply concerned" about the practice and would raise it with the Queensland attorney general.”