Meeting the needs of pregnant women and new mothers in prison

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).