§ Mr. SoleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any proposals to enable mothers of young children who are serving prison sentences to keep their children with them; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter LloydFacilities already exist in three prisons for mothers to keep their young children with them. At present there are a total of 37 places in mother and baby units; 15 places are at Askham Grange, 12 are at Holloway and 10 are at Styal. At Askham Grange and Styal children may remain until the age of 18 months, while at Holloway the age limit is nine months.
Plans have already been drawn up to extend the number of places. Ten more places will be provided at Styal by the end of the year, and work will start on a purpose-built unit at New Hall during the winter months, to provide a further nine places.