Legislation still unpassed to provide female inmates with free sanitary products

A survey behind a proposal to provide women in Missouri prisons free access to sanitary products says about 80% of respondents made their own tampons out of materials available to them.

Nonprofit Missouri Appleseed’s survey found that a greater percentage of staff at the state’s two female correctional facilities were aware of the practice, which can lead to infections and health issues.

The top reason cited for not purchasing tampons or sanitary napkins offered in the prisons was the high cost.

The survey has become a significant driver in a bill that’s been awaiting a final vote on the House floor for several weeks.

The legislation is also included in a separate bill pending in a Senate committee and in a criminal justice reform package that’s awaiting a House vote.