Our latest statement on pregnant women and new mothers in prison
This statement was updated on 5 June to include reference to the findings of the HMIP Short Scrutiny Visits to three women's prisons.
By prioritising pregnant women and mothers with babies in prison for early release back in March, the government sent a clear signal about their vulnerability, and the need to protect their safety and wellbeing during the Covid-19 pandemic. Yet two months on, only 22 pregnant women and mothers with babies have been released under this scheme.
Many more remain inside prison walls, locked in their cells for more than 23 hours a day with no visits from family, friends or many of their usual support services. Pregnant women and new mothers continue to arrive in our prisons to serve custodial sentences. All these women and babies are currently likely to be at increased risk from a system that struggles to protect their safety and wellbeing even during normal times.
This cannot continue. In our latest statement we set out a number of key calls on the Ministry of Justice and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service at this crucial point in the pandemic response.
Read our latest statement on pregnant women and new mothers in prison
