Prisons: Mothers and Babies Debate

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Department: Ministry of Justice

Prisons: Mothers and Babies

Baroness Gohir Excerpts
Monday 7th July 2025

(1 day, 18 hours ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Gohir Portrait Baroness Gohir (CB)
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My Lords, is the Minister able to share what support is given to women once they leave prison and how long it is provided for?

Lord Timpson Portrait Lord Timpson (Lab)
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The general rule is that babies can stay with mothers in prison for up to 18 months, but there is flexibility so they can stay longer if required. It is really important that when women leave prison with their babies, they have somewhere to live and a wraparound support network. That is why it is important that we give them a soft landing when they leave prison. This is where probation comes in and where the £700 million in extra funding that we have will be really important to make sure that we get that first night accommodation, because we do not want anybody leaving prison with no fixed abode.