Sir Al Aynsley-Green called for a child-centred approach to thesentencing and custody of mothers in a report published by his officialoffice, 11 Million. It considers whether eight mother and baby units forup to 75 women prisoners in England and Wales are the most appropriateplace for babies and young children.
It recommends a review of mothers in custody and a separate probationreport to assess the impact of prison on children.
According to Government figures, a third of women prisoners have a childunder five. Babies are allowed to stay with their mothers until they areaged 18 months to two years. The timing of separation is seen as a keyarea for re-assessment.
Sarah Salmon, assistant director of Action for Prisoners' Families, saidprison should be a last resort. 'Jailing mothers creates more problemsthan it solves, and perpetuates a cycle of deprivation that feedsantisocial behaviour. Children are the invisible victims ofimprisonment. Separation from their mothers is traumatic and damaging,financially, socially, psychologically.'
She backed the recommendations of last year's Corston review intovulnerable women in the justice system, such as small, local units withlinks to communities.
Further information
'Prison Mother and Baby Units - Do they meet the best interests of thechild?' is available at www.11MILLION.co.uk.