2026 ACA 156th Congress of Correction Pittsburgh_Planning Guide

SPECIAL SESSION/LUNCHEON

When Seconds Matter: Responding to Pregnancy Emergencies in Custody

Thursday, Jul. 30, 2026 12:00 p.m. Ballroom B

Speaker - Dr. Carolyn Sufrin, MD, PhD

Speaker Bio Carolyn Sufrin, MD, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and in Health, Behavior, and Society at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. For nearly two decades, she has led work at the intersection of reproductive health and incarceration —from providing clinical care in jails to shaping national policy and guidance. She has testified before the U.S. Senate to raise awareness on the needs of incarcerated pregnant women, co-authored national guidance on reproductive health care for incarcerated women with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and partnered with the National Sheriffs’ Association on a resolution to advance women’s health care in jails. Dr. Sufrin is the founder and director of Advocacy and Research on Reproductive Wellness of Incarcerated People , and her work is dedicated to improving maternal health outcomes for incarcerated women nationwide. Overview Join us for a featured Health Care Special Session with nationally recognized expert Carolyn Sufrin, who will address one of the most critical and high-risk areas in correctional care— pregnancy emergencies. In correctional environments, both healthcare and custody staff play essential roles in recognizing and responding to urgent maternal conditions. This session will focus on practical, real-world strategies to ensure staff are prepared, confident, and coordinated when emergencies arise. Dr. Sufrin will provide a concise, high-impact presentation followed by a facilitated discussion on the state of maternal health in corrections , offering actionable insights for systems improvement.

Session Objectives • Understand the maternal health crisis in the United States and its implications for correctional settings. • Recognize urgent maternal warning signs and apply best practices for responding to pregnancy emergencies in custody, including vaginal bleeding and signs of labor • Identify practical resources and strategies to strengthen

maternal health care and emergency response in correctional facilities

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