PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – Tammy Jackson, who gave birth all alone in a Broward jail — a case that led to a change in Florida law — has died, family members tell Local 10 News. Jackson delivered a baby girl in a Broward County jail cell last year, telling Local 10 afterward that the experience was “horrifying.”It led to the Tammy Jackson Act, signed into law this June, which calls for pregnant inmates who go into labor to be transported to a hospital. “It’s in her name,” Jackson’s mother Shirley Nixon said at the time of the new law. “That’s going to be forever.”Jackson, who suffered from bipolar schizophrenia, had been jailed at the North Broward Bureau in Pompano Beach for trespassing and drug charges when she gave birth to her daughter Miranda. Click here to get breaking news updates sent straight to your email inbox.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A woman who gave birth inside a Broward jail cell should have been released days before she had her baby under a pre-trial program, according to a letter written by Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony sent to the Broward Public Defender’s office. North Broward inmate 28-year-old Stephanie Bretas delivered her baby boy last month in a jail cell. (See the complete letter below)Tony wrote: “On Sept. 24, 3 days prior to Ms. Bretas giving birth, your office obtained an order to release her under the supervision of the Broward Sheriff’s Office Pretrial program. The sheriff said he does share Weekes' concerns about the treatment that inmates are receiving in jail. There’s now a law named after Tammy Jackson, who also delivered a baby in a Broward jail cell in April of last year.

But late last month another woman was forced to give birth inside a Broward jail. A letter sent Wednesday by the Broward County Public Defender to Sheriff Gregory Tony demanded answers, and Tony has taken action — announcing Thursday the terminations of Department of Detention Colonel Gary Palmer and Department of Detention Lieutenant Colonel Angela Neely. The unborn child,” Weekes said. At this point, BSO says its probe has revealed that medical staff did attend to the inmate when she delivered the child. Tony appointed Lieutenant Colonel Josefa Benjamin as acting Colonel of the Department of Detention.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida’s second Dignity for Incarcerated Women bill, the Tammy Jackson Act, was signed into law Tuesday by Gov. “Dignity Florida, a coalition of formerly incarcerated women, their families, and advocacy organizations across Florida, promoted the bill’s passage,” the news release stated. That bill was also signed into law by the governor and ensures that women receive free menstrual and healthcare products while incarcerated. “I am proud of the work we’ve done unanimously passing the 2019 and 2020 Dignity for Incarcerated Women bills, and seeing both signed into law,” Jones said in a statement. Valencia Gunter is an activist with the New Florida Majority and Dignity Florida, working to advance rights for incarcerated women and girls.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - New legislation is coursing its way through the Florida State House. It's modeled after a Maryland bill that went into effect this month, essentially banning placing pregnant inmates in isolation. Jackson spoke with the Leave it to Layron team after she was released from the hospital, and following a mental health evaluation in May. Florida is among the 18 states with laws on the books prohibiting, or restricting the shackling of pregnant women. "If you believe that all life is precious, solitary confinement is torture," said Tray Johns, a criminal justice organizer with The New Florida Majority and Dignity Florida.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - One by one, they took to a podium outside the Broward County Commission meeting room -- women representing more than 50 advocacy and community organizations. Local 10's Leave it to Layron investigation into the alleged incident prompted the Broward County public defender to look into the allegation. "What was done was horrific," said Broward County Vice Mayor Dale Holness during that June meeting. Holness acknowledged he and other commissioners vote on the budget for the Broward Sheriff's Office, but he advised the crowd that commissioners do not run the Sheriff's Office. The public defender said one of those inmates went without food and water for some time while in BSO custody.