NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Pregnant inmates at Nashville's jail will no longer be restrained, according to a policy change made after an illegal immigrant said she was shackled during labor.

Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall announced the changes this week. But he said pregnant inmates would still be restrained during trips to the hospital or court if they presented a danger to themselves or if there was credible information they might try to escape.

Last month, Mexican immigrant Juana Villegas was arrested on careless driving charges and detained at the jail. She said she went into labor on July 5 and was taken to the hospital, where she was handcuffed to the bed by her right wrist and left ankle until shortly before the birth.

The sheriff said her treatment followed the jail's old policies because her immigration status made her a medium-security inmate, who are restrained regardless of pregnancy.

Hall said in his opinion the old policy was "a little more than may have been necessary in every case."

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