Postpartum Justice Gap | Boston News

In a startling global contrast, over two dozen countries offer legal leniency for mothers who harm their children postpartum — but the U.S. lags behind, with only Illinois allowing judges to consider mental illness in sentencing. Tracing back to 1936’s infamous “puerperal insanity” case in England, these laws have evolved to prioritize treatment over punishment, influencing nations worldwide. Yet, in the U.S., mothers still face harsh judgment, often shaped by outdated stereotypes — seen as either evil or mad — while societal biases like marital status or employment further complicate justice. A new Massachusetts bill seeks to change this by making perinatal illness a sentencing mitigator and ensuring psychiatric care within 12 months of childbirth — though it’s currently under review. Experts warn that the rigid legal system struggles to accommodate the unpredictable nature of postpartum psychosis, calling for urgent reform to connect mothers with healing, not incarceration. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/4de5b58c1a0562de