Over 30 per cent said they had committed the offence which brought them to prison in order to obtain money to support their need for drugs (1998).' Many of these women had tremendous concern over lost custody of one or more of their children and reported that contact with their children, regardless of their age, was essential to personal well-being. Existing research also indicates that women prisoners are more likely to be addicted to harder drugs than male prisoners. M. J. the Associated Press report, 7 September 2006. This practice violates international standards, including the Bangkok Rules.56 Moreover, shackling during labour may cause complications during delivery such as haemorrhage or decreased fetal heart rate.