Discussion paper on prison mother and baby units
Date: 01 August 2008
The ministerial champion for women in the criminal justice system, Maria Eagle, has now responded in full to the Children's Commissioner for England about the findings of his report 'Prison Mother and Baby Units - do they meet the best interests of the child?' that was published in January. The minister said in her letter covering the detailed response:
'In focusing on women prisoners who give birth during their sentence or who have their babies with them in prison, and in examining how we can improve the life chances of this vulnerable group of babies, your discussion paper provides a welcome and timely complement to progress against the recommendations made by Baroness Corston in her review.
'We have now considered all the recommendations in your discussion paper and our response... outlines the very significant measures we are now taking or have already taken, to better meet the needs of women prisoners and their babies, while acknowledging that there is still more to be done.'
- Mother and baby units in prisons (PDF 0.07mb 10 pages)