HC Deb 05 March 1987 vol 111 c687W
34. Mrs. Renee Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what improvements are planned by the prison department in facilities for pregnant women and mothers.

Mr. Mellor

The policy on mothers and babies in prison is currently under review, in consultation with the Department of Health and Social Security, to take account of developments in childcare practice to the extent that it is practicable to do so within prison. A research project being carried out by the University of Sussex on behalf of the Department into the physical and psychological development of babies in prison mother and baby units will provide an independent evaluation of present policy and practice and we will give careful consideration to its findings.

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