An Analysis of Antishackling Legislation Using a Narrative Policy Framework

Although pregnant incarcerated individuals are a highly vulnerable population, they are largely understudied. This study applies an exploratory qualitative content analysis approach and a Narrative Policy Framework (NPF) to examine the language in antishackling legislation. Through the lens of NPF, the research examines how three characters—pregnant incarcerated individuals, correctional officers, and medical staff—are portrayed in legislation, and how their broader criminal justice contexts help shape these narratives. The investigation provides insight into how the narrative components in antishackling legislation characterize pregnant incarcerated individuals, staff, and their criminal justice contexts.