HC Deb 23 February 1981 vol 999 c274W
Miss Joan Lestor

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the practice is regarding the solitary confinement, or segregation for any reason, of mothers with small children in prison; and on how many occasions in the last year for which figures are available mothers have been seperated from children.

Mr. Mayhew

All female inmates in prison department establishments are subject to the disciplinary provisions of the rules governing the establishment, but separation of a mother and child is avoided wherever possible; and even when a mother is segregated, she is allowed to see her child daily. Mothers were separated from their young children in prison department establishments under the rules on 13 occasions in 1980.