Inmate gets abortion after going to court

Missouri woman’s request for prison transportation went to Supreme Court

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updated 6:37 p.m. ET Oct. 21, 2005

ST. LOUIS - A Missouri inmate whose effort to get an abortion went all to the way to the U.S. Supreme Court underwent the procedure.

The woman had the abortion Thursday in St. Louis, after the courts ruled that the state Corrections Department must provide her with transportation to the clinic at taxpayer expense.

The four-months-pregnant inmate was in prison in Vandalia, 80 miles from St. Louis, for violating her probation on a methamphetamine-possession charge.

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The woman, whose name was not released, was willing to pay for the abortion but said she could not afford transportation. The prison system refused to give her ride because of a Missouri law that forbids the use of tax dollars to facilitate an abortion.

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But a federal judge ruled that the policy violated the woman’s right to an abortion, and the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday let the judge’s action stand.

“The governor remains disappointed in the court actions that compelled the state’s involvement,” said Spence Jackson, a spokesman for Gov. Matt Blunt. Jackson said that the prison policy reflects Missouri values.

The travel costs were estimated at $350 for two guards plus fuel.