Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to support pregnant women in prison.

There are now dedicated Pregnancy and Mother and Baby Liaison Officers in all women’s prisons, as well as mandatory multidisciplinary care planning for pregnant women. We have introduced additional training for prison staff on the care of pregnant women, and are piloting the introduction of social workers in women’s prisons to support pregnant women and mothers.

The Lord Chancellor has launched the Women’s Justice Board to address the distinctive needs of women in the criminal justice system, with the aim of reducing the number of women in prison. While there will always be some women, including some who are pregnant, who need to be in custody, we must ensure they are given the best possible chance to address the causes of their offending, so that they are able to contribute positively to society.