Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many babies have been born on the prison estate in each of the last 10 years.

We began collecting information on the number of babies born to women in the prison estate in 2020-21. Information is not available for previous years.

During the nine months to 31 March 2021, and the twelve months to 31 March 2022, fewer than five babies were born within the prison estate in England and Wales in each period. We have not provided the exact figure, as that could lead to the identification of individuals.

Any information relating to the number of women who have experienced miscarriages would be held by the National Health Service, and not by the Ministry of Justice.