Legislators Call for Investigation into Sterilizations in Prison

In a story we airedon Tuesday, the Center for Investigative Reporting discovered that 150 pregnant women were sterilized in California prisons between 2006 and 2010 — without the required notification to top state medical officials. Inmates and their advocates said they were pushed to sign up, and a prison doctor said the cost was minimal compared to potential welfare payments for unwanted children. Some legislators are outraged, including Hanna-Beth Jackson, a State Senator from Santa Barbara and chair of the Women's Caucus.