§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of women in prison at the latest available date who had their children with them, giving their location, the ages of the children, the sentence being served by the mother and the offence.
§ Mr. MellorOn 18 October 1985, the latest date for which this information is available, 23 women had their children with them in custody.
Six women were in Holloway, of whom one was awaiting trial for murder, one for the supply and one for the illegal importation of drugs. One was serving a 21-month sentence and one a three-year sentence for the illegal importation of drugs, and one a 27-month sentence for possession of drugs. Their children's ages ranged from seven days to 16 weeks.
Six women were in Styal, of whom one was serving a 12-month sentence for deception, one 15-month for burglary, one 21-month for breach of a suspended sentence and robbery, one two years for deception, one two years for burglary and one three years for abduction and assault. Their children's ages ranged from two months to 5 ½ months.
Eleven women were in Askham Grange. One was serving a seven-month sentence for theft and deception, three were serving nine months for burglary, attempted and criminal deception, and deception and wounding respectively, two were serving 12 months for the possession of drugs and forgery respectively, one was serving 15 months for theft, two were serving 18 months for burglary and receiving respectively, one was serving two years for customs evasion and one three years for the illegal importation of drugs. Their children's ages ranged from three weeks to 15½ months.
335W
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his latest estimate of the number of women in prison who have children; what is the number of these children aged three years or less; and who is responsible for the children while the mother is in custody.
§ Mr. MellorThis information is not kept centrally and reliable estimates could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the provision of facilities at youth custody centres for girls to have their children with them.
§ Mr. MellorThe mother and baby unit at Styal is a designated youth custody centre. Female inmates sentenced to youth custody are also eligible to have their babies with them in the mother and baby units at Askham Grange and Holloway.