§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many babies were born in prisons in England and Wales in each year since 1987; how many of the mothers were handcuffed at the time of giving birth; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter LloydResponsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from A. J. Butler to Mr. Alex Carlile, dated 10 May 1994:
Births to women serving prison sentences in each year since 1987.The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question asking how many babies were born in prisons in England and Wales in each year since 1987; how many of the mothers were handcuffed at the time of giving birth.The annual reports on the work of the Prison Service until 1991–92 record the number of women temporarily removed to outside hospital for delivery and returning to establishments afterwards. Figures are now published in the annual report of the Director of Health Care for Prisoners. The figures are:
Number 1987–88 75 1988–89 63 1989–90 74 1990–91 65 1991–92 56 1992–93 29 In addition there were three deliveries within Prison Service establishments:
Number 1987–88 1 1988–89 2 We are aware of only one birth to date during which the mother was handcuffed.