In a harrowing account of her experience within the Georgia Department of Corrections, a woman has shared the traumatic realities faced by pregnant inmates at the Helms facility. Describing her nine-month stay, she recounted the inhumane treatment and lack of medical care, stating, \"They treated us like animals.\"

The woman detailed witnessing multiple births in the facility's hallways, with one particularly distressing incident where a fellow inmate was told to \"shut up\" while in labor, ultimately giving birth on a bathroom floor. She expressed fear and vulnerability, recalling moments of desperation as women screamed for help, only to be met with indifference from the staff.

Food quality was another significant issue, with inmates receiving inadequate meals that left them hungry. The woman described the food as \"watered down greens and soy patties,\" and recalled a cruel joke by officers who falsely announced breakfast from Waffle House, only to leave the women disappointed.

As her own delivery approached, she faced coercion regarding her medical care. Despite her wishes for a vaginal birth, she was informed that a cesarean section was mandatory due to a previous surgery. This led to a traumatic hospital experience where she felt abandoned and coerced, culminating in the birth of her daughter, Jordan, on August 15, 2018. However, she was only allowed to hold her baby for two hours before being separated for three years.

After giving birth, she was transferred to a basement area of the prison, where she faced unsanitary conditions and a lack of basic medical care. She described being placed in solitary confinement just days after giving birth, with no support for her physical or mental health. The conditions were so dire that she feared for her life as her c-section wound became infected.

Upon her release in April 2022, she faced the daunting task of reuniting with her children, who had been placed in foster care during her incarceration. The struggle to find stable housing was compounded by her criminal record, leading to numerous rejections before she finally succeeded in purchasing a home.

This testimony sheds light on the urgent need for reform in the treatment of pregnant inmates, highlighting systemic issues that not only affect the women but also have lasting impacts on their families.