After Protest, US Dept To Up Sanitary Pad Allocation To Female Inmates

Women incarcerated in Arizona will now receive 36 sanitary pads a month instead of the 12 they were given earlier. They recently kicked of the #LetItFlow campaign, sending state Representative Thomas T.J Shope pads and tampons.

The move was in response to a stalled bill in the Arizona House of Representatives. The bill wanted to provide female inmates in Arizona with an unlimited supply of feminine hygiene products at no cost.

Shope had stalled the bill because the Department of Corrections said it was revising the policy. There was speculation that the department’s revision made the bill redundant.

Democratic Rep. Athena Salman, who introduced the bill, called the department's revision "a huge victory for women".

"While this is welcome news, in the future we would like to see this new policy codified in a way that can't be undone by a new director or governor," Rep Athena Salman

"We will also remain vigilant to make sure it's implemented as promised, with no unnecessary barriers to women receiving any products they need."

The Department said in a statement that inmates will be granted 36 menstrual pads.

“The department will continue to provide sanitary napkins free of charge to all of its female inmates, regardless of need,” the statement said. 

“As is the current practice, an inmate may request and, without charge, receive additional pads, if necessary. Additional product options will continue to be available through the inmate store.”

“We believe this change addresses and resolves, in an appropriate and timely fashion, the concerns raised in the last week,” the department said.

The Department of Corrections is facing $650,000 in fines for failing to improve healthcare in state prisons.

Here are some reactions from the #Letitflow campaign:

Every mo for ~6 days I use 4-5 tampons. Between 24-30 /mo. AZ female inmates get 12 /mo and are penalized for blood on their clothes. #SB2222 will fix that problem allowing women unlimited supplies. Contact @TJShopeforAZ and ask to let the bill be put to a full vote. #LetItFlow pic.twitter.com/8IY0eYNJMw

— Biracial Kitty says #BlackLivesMatter (@Gabbiani26) February 11, 2018

Hi @TJShopeforAZ! I’m a gynecologist. I would be happy to explain to you how the menstrual cycle works and the importance of feminine hygiene products to maintain personal and public health. In the meantime please give #HB2222 a hearing. #LetItFlow @ACOGAction @AthenaSalman

— Ilana Addis, MD, MPH (she/her) (@iaddis) February 11, 2018

Something as natural as a menstrual cycle. No, we can't hold it in like urine. Yes, blood stains are difficult to get out. Most men don't have a basic understanding of a menstrual cycle yet they have the power to determine access and control of women's bodies. #LetItFlow https://t.co/Fo3XrdeEtd

— Julia Stevenson, MD (@DrJuliaPRS) February 13, 2018

@TJShopeforAZ Female biology is a fact of life as are pads and tampons. It's unconscionable that women are forced to ask for pads and work for tampons. Justify why you won't allow HB2222 to get a hearing! And tell Jay Lawrence to grow up. #LetItFlow

— Cheryl Weiner (@AZPoolside) February 11, 2018

Nothing is worse than not having menstrual products during your period and we are glad that social media movements like #LetItFlow can effect change.

Also Read: Rajasthan: Under Menstrual Hygiene Scheme Govt to Distribute Free Pads