Meeting the needs of pregnant women and new mothers in prison

Abstract

There are 12 women’s prisons in the United Kingdom and six have Mother and Baby Units (MBU) attached. Approximately 5% of the total prison population consists of women (Abbott, 2018). The heightened vulnerability of pregnant women within prison environments is well-documented, with increased risks of miscarriage and pregnancy complications (Davies et al., 2022; 2020; Bard et al., 2016; O’Keefe & Dixon, 2015). The experience of pregnancy within the confines of a prison environment is marked by isolation, fear and feelings of loss (Abbott et al., 2023). There are also opportunities for the experience to be transformative should a woman be granted a place on an MBU with her baby (Abbott, 2018). However, for women who are separated from their babies, they endure a disenfranchised grief and are at risk of psychological harm (Abbott et al, 2023b).