University of Hertfordshire experts raise concerns over maternity care for pregnant women in UK prisons

University of Hertfordshire experts raise concerns over maternity care for pregnant women in UK prisons

Experts, including senior midwives and researchers from the University of Hertfordshire, are calling for improvements in maternity care for pregnant women in UK prisons, citing significant gaps in care.

In an article published in The British Medical Journal (BMJ), Dr Laura Abbott, Associate Professor of Research and Midwifery at the University of Hertfordshire, and her colleagues highlight systemic barriers to healthcare that put the health of pregnant women, new mothers and babies at risk within the prison system.

Dr Laura Abbott says "Incarceration for pregnant women should be a last resort, with a priority placed on community-based alternatives. When imprisonment is unavoidable, it is essential to ensure consistent, high-quality care that addresses the unique needs of both the mother and her baby. The deaths of mothers and babies within the prison system highlights the urgency of addressing current deficiencies."

From April 2023 to March 2024, 229 pregnant women were incarcerated in England, and 53 gave birth during this period. However, research indicates that women in prison are more likely to miss antenatal appointments and face higher risks of complications and mental health challenges than those in the general population.

This issue was tragically highlighted by the death of Michelle Barnes in 2015, who died by suicide days after learning she would be separated from her baby, and the deaths of two babies born in prison. These incidents have spurred campaigns by organisations such as Birth Companions, leading to updated sentencing guidelines that recognise pregnancy and post-birth as mitigating factors requiring specialised support.

While some progress has been made, such as the introduction of in-cell phones, pregnancy liaison officers, and increased maternity cover, the accessibility and quality of care in prisons still fall short of NHS standards. The team suggests several steps to enhance maternity care in prison settings, including:

• Allocating protected time for midwives.
• Establishing obstetric clinics within prisons.
• Providing multidisciplinary training for care providers.
• Offering specialised support to mitigate the adverse effects of mandatory separation during the critical early years of a child's life.

The paper also highlights community initiatives that demonstrate how well-funded alternatives to incarceration can deliver transformative support for women and their babies. Importantly, the paper challenges the notion of prison as a safe place for vulnerable pregnant women, stressing the need for viable, well-supported community alternatives.

Read the full BMJ article.